India should talk to Pakistan from position of "strength": Congress

Congress on Thursday raised the Pathankot terror attack issue in the Lok Sabha and advised the Narendra Modi government to negotiate with Pakistan from a position of “strength” and not “emotions”.

Just before the House was to take up Question Hour, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan allowed Jyotiraditya Scindia of the Congress to raise the issue with a rider that it would not be politicised.

Amid opposition by treasury benches, Scindia recalled that the Joint Investigation Team from Pakistan had a member from the Inter-Services Intelligence.

Quoting a Pakistani media report, he said the JIT told the government there that “a drama was staged” to malign Pakistan and the Indian authorities did not cooperate with the team.

Referring to the remarks of Pakistan high commissioner to India Abdul Basit that the investigation into the attack does not include reciprocity, he said the government should negotiate with Pakistan from a position of “strength” and not “emotions”.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu urged the Speaker to expunge Scindia’s remarks against the government.

When Scindia kept on speaking even after the House took up Question Hour, Speaker quipped that “you never listen... that is why I don’t allow you.”

Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti, who was responding to a question on Ganga rejuvenation, said it is sad that more than Ganga, the Congress thinks of Pakistan.