NEW DELHI, June 29: India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) offered a mixed reaction on Tuesday to the just concluded foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan
, saying the party was happy the dialogue took place but it was disappointed that Islamabad walked away with more than its due.
Former foreign minister Yashwant Sinha, issuing the BJP's formal statement, listed reference to the UN Charter in the joint statement as intriguing as he accused the United Progressive Alliance government of allowing avoidable access between Kashmir's pro-freedom leaders and the visiting delegation.
The BJP "notes with satisfaction that in accordance with the decision taken by the Vajpayee government in February this year the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan met in Delhi on 27- 28 June, 2004 to resume the Composite Dialogue between the two countries," Mr Sinha said.
"We are happy that the foreign secretaries have agreed on a timeframe for talks between the two countries on all the other issues included in the Composite Dialogue process.
We are glad at some of the other Confidence Building Measures agreed upon in the Joint Statement issued after the meeting. We are, however, seriously concerned at some other developments relating to these talks," Mr Sinha said.
He said the omission of any reference to the Lahore Declaration and only a passing reference to the "path-breaking" joint press statement issued in Islamabad on 6th January, 2004, after the meeting between Pakistan President Gen Parvez Musharraf and then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is a matter of deep concern.
Mr Sinha said India-Pakistan relations have not remained frozen after the Shimla Agreement. "A number of developments of far- reaching importance have taken place between then and now. Ignoring them not only demonstrates a petty political mindset, it also imperils vital national interests," Mr Sinha said.
He said that in the Jan 6 statement the onus was clearly on Pakistan to prevent violence, hostility and terrorism. It also contained an assurance from President Parvez Musharraf not to permit any territory under Pakistan's control to be used to support terrorism in any manner.
"The BJP feels that this issue stands diluted in the joint statement of June 28, 2004," the former foreign minister said. "Commitment to the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations occurring in the same sentence which refers to the determination to implement the Shimla Agreement in letter and in spirit is intriguing, to say the least," Mr Sinha said.
"It clearly weakens our approach that all issues between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally and may give an opening to Pakistan to bring in the old UN resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir and to involve third parties in the negotiations. Government of India should have avoided such a formulation," he said.
The most disconcerting development of all was the manner in which various Kashmirir leaders, including representatives of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference "were encouraged" to interact with Foreign Secretary Riaz Khkokhar.
"The Hurriyat or any one else for that matter from Jammu and Kashmir should by all means talk to the Government of India. There is no way, however, in which such elements could become a third party in the talks between India and Pakistan. Pakistan cannot be allowed to represent the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and yet this is exactly what seems to have happened at these talks," Mr Sinha said.
He said the remark by Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesman that what satisfies Pakistan would satisfy Kashmirris was preposterous."
The statement could not have been made if the Government of India had not facilitated the interaction between the Hurriyat leaders and the Pakistani delegation.
The BJP has always held the view that peace must be established between India and Pakistan. The contribution that Mr. Vajpayee and his government made to this process "is an unforgettable chapter of our history."
At the same time national interests of India must be fully protected as they were by the Vajpayee government. Cross-border terrorism remains an issue between India and Pakistan and any attempt to compromise with national interests or dilute our stand on cross border terrorism cannot be acceptable to the people of India.
The BJP noted with amusement President Musharraf's invitation to UPA chairman Sonia Gandhi along with his similar messages to the Indian prime minister and the president conveyed by Mr Khokhar. "Pakistan clearly also knows, as we do, where the real power lies in this government," Mr Sinha said.
