LoC tension hovers over ‘Chintan Shivir’
17 Jan 2013 7:45 AM IST
With BJP hardening its stand vis-a-vis Pakistan, the Congress think tank is working overtime on the eve of the ‘Chintan Shivir’ to rework its strategy on the matter. ‘The draft resolution on foreign policy had initially given extensive space to Palestine and Iran. However, with the recent beheading of a soldier at LoC, Pakistan is going to take precedence,’ said a party functionary.
Initially, the party was pedaling ‘Mani Shankar Aiyer’s line’ on the matter as foreign policy resolution was being drafted with an eye to the international community. ‘However, with the development in Poonch and the prime minister being forced to toughen his position on the matter, the party cannot afford Aiyer’s line of continuing with dialogue when the domestic sentiments are so hurt,’ added the leader. Defence minister AK Antony, who is going to the pivot of the meet, has been assigned to do the balancing act.
Insiders said while the party was in no mood to let BJP get away with the initiative, but was also worried that its posturing should not create discomfort to the minority community. ‘Initiatives like starting the visa on arrival regime was going to benefit the party but sadly it has been put on hold. But it cannot be put into a cold storage altogether,’ said the party functionary.
‘We may adopt a more practical line as enunciated by the prime minister that business between the two countries needs some per-requisites which includes maintaining sanctity of ceasefire at the LoC,’ he added.
Initially, the party was pedaling ‘Mani Shankar Aiyer’s line’ on the matter as foreign policy resolution was being drafted with an eye to the international community. ‘However, with the development in Poonch and the prime minister being forced to toughen his position on the matter, the party cannot afford Aiyer’s line of continuing with dialogue when the domestic sentiments are so hurt,’ added the leader. Defence minister AK Antony, who is going to the pivot of the meet, has been assigned to do the balancing act.
Insiders said while the party was in no mood to let BJP get away with the initiative, but was also worried that its posturing should not create discomfort to the minority community. ‘Initiatives like starting the visa on arrival regime was going to benefit the party but sadly it has been put on hold. But it cannot be put into a cold storage altogether,’ said the party functionary.
‘We may adopt a more practical line as enunciated by the prime minister that business between the two countries needs some per-requisites which includes maintaining sanctity of ceasefire at the LoC,’ he added.
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