HT Political Bureau, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, July 31, 2009
Unable to quarrel with the philosophy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Pakistan policy of ‘trust but verify’, the Opposition on Thursday focused its criticism on the inclusion of Balochistan in the Indo-Pak joint statement of July 16.
Refusing to accept the government’s explanation, Opposition parties walked out of Lok Sabha on the second day of the discussion on the statement.
After three explanatory statements by the PM in the last 15 days, the Balochistan reference remains a thorn in the government’s side. Pakistan has been accusing India of fomenting ethnic tension there, a charge India has always denied.
The Opposition insisted India walked into Pakistan’s trap by allowing a reference to it in the statement while the government explained it is proof that India has nothing to hide.
The government strained to explain its position on Balochistan on a day it found oblique support from US special envoy Richard Holbrooke, who refused to endorse the Pakistani position, and Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani lauded Singh’s “statesmanship”. Holbrooke did not endorse the Indian position either.
Hindustan Times for more