Modi govt 'compromised' on national security, says Cong

Bhopal: The Congress alleged on Monday the "weak" Narendra Modi government "compromised on" the national security by allowing a "third party mediation" in Jammu and Kashmir, days after an ex-Norwegian prime minister's visit to the state.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the policy underlines that only India and Pakistan can hold a mutual discussion on the boundary dispute and accused the central government of violating the country's 71-year-old policy to deal with the issue.

"You must have read in newspapers... I don't want to take his name, I don't disrespect him. But for the first time, Modiji has sent a former prime minister of a third country to J&K to talk with separatists...Why? This question should be asked to him," Surjewala told reporters.

He was apparently referring to the recent visit of former Norwegian prime minister Kjell Magne Bondevik to Jammu and Kashmir where he met top separatist leaders.

Surjewala was replying to a query on Congress minister Navjot Singh Sidhu's comments on Indo-Pak relations in the context of Pakistan's announcement to develop a corridor to Kartarpur Sahib, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, in that country.

Sidhu had said that "Pakistan would take two steps towards harmony, if India takes one".

"It has been India's policy that any mediation by a third country is not allowed and that India and Pakistan can talk mutually about their boundary dispute," Surjewala said.

He said the Modi government "cannot be expected" to take a firm step on the national security.

"Unfortunately, for the first time a weak Modi government is in power, which has knelt down before terrorists, extremism and Naxalism. We cannot expect it to take a solid step on the issue of the national security," the Congress spokesperson said.

He said the prime minister has "blurred" the traditional policy of India on Jammu and Kashmir by allowing a former PM of a third country to talk with separatists.

"Today, it's one country's prime minister, tomorrow the US would ask to mediate in Kashmir dispute, then China and Russia would also come. What are you doing? This is a compromise on the national security," he said.

Asked if Sidhu's comments amounted to his love for Pakistan, Surjewala said, "Sidhu is the minister of a state and you (media) took up his comment which is not relevant.... not under his jurisdiction".