Why is Modi silent on Doklam stand-off: Oppn

The Opposition on Thursday accused the government of having no stable foreign policy and asked it to spell out its roadmap to deal China amid the border stand-off which it wanted to be resolved diplomatically.

During a discussion on "India's foreign policy and engagement with strategic partners" in the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition parties said they are with the government in the face of "unusually aggressive" position adopted by China but wanted the country to be strengthened further militarily to ward off any threat.

The Opposition parties also accused the government of spoiling relations with the neighbours and felt that India should not be isolated in the process of isolating Pakistan.

"As we engage with our partner countries, please ensure that there is a balance. We should ensure that we engage with all of them. But we should ensure that there is a strategic balance," said Congress leader Anand Sharma while initiating the discussion.

Sharma, former Minister of State for External Affairs, said there should be no dilution or deviation from the country's laid down foreign policy.

Referring to the border stand-off with China, he said the neighbouring country is being "unusually aggressive" and the "doors of diplomacy seem to be closing".

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sharma said he had "not uttered a word" on what he has talked with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meetings in Astana (Kazakhstan) and Hamburg (Germany).

"It is his (PM's) duty to tell us. He cannot remain silent on matters of India's sensitive interests," he said

He also said that India should avoid making boastful claims of isolating Pakistan.

The Congress leader said it was a matter of concern that China has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan.

Reiterating government's stand that terror and talks cannot go together, External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday said that Pakistan's stand has changed in recent times. Replying to opposition's questions on government's foreign policies in Rajya Sabha, Swaraj said it is the first time after Pathankot terror attack that 'Pakistan has not gone on a denial mode'. She added that the Indian government has given a roadmap for peace and friendship to Pakistan but "one-sided roadmap can't function and terror and talks cannot go together.

Talking about Dokhlam standoff, Swaraj targetted Congress party over its vice president Rahul Gandhi's meeting with Chinese ambassador.

Swaraj said that "patience is key to resolving problems" because of patience is lost, there can be a provocation on the other side. "We will keep patience to resolve the issue," she said referring to the Dokalam stand-off issue with China.

"We will keep engaging with China to resolve the dispute," Swaraj added.