Firmer foreign policy needed: BJP

Advocating a firmer foreign policy, BJP president Nitin Gadkari today said dialogue with Pakistan was of no use till terrorism continued to emanate from across the border.

He also spoke of a "very disturbing picture with regard to Chinese incursions", BJP spokesman Ravishankar Prasad told reporters after the inaugural speech of the party head at the national executive meet here.

"The UPA government at the Centre should have a firmer foreign policy. The dialogue with Pakistan is of no use till there is terrorism from across the border," Gadkari said.

He said the then Atal Bihari Vajpayee government had taken initiatives for a dialogue with Pakistan and an exercise was undertaken at that time to normalise relations between the
two nations during the Agra summit.

Referring to a committee of party experts to study the situation arising out of "Chinese incursions", Gadkari said the leaders, who had visited the borders in north-eastern states, had presented a "very, very disturbing report".

On the Indo-US strategic partnership, he said "the UPA government appears to have become hostage to the American
interest at the cost of our national interest."

He advocated strengthening of the Indo-US relationship on the basis of protecting mutual interest and addressing concerns of each other.

"We believe India and the US have much to gain from a strategic relationship based on mutual interests and equality. But, in fact, India-US relations have now become a cover for promoting Pakistan's interests in Afghanistan apart from pandering to Islamabad's absurd demands," Gadkari said.

He cautioned the government that people would never accept any deal or agreement with the US that would rob India of its strategic autonomy, flexibility and space for diplomatic manoeuvre in its foreign policy.

"There are several instances in the recent past that have created an apprehension that the India government only follows a reactive foreign policy," Gadkari said.

He said new revelations about the inexplicable delay in hanging Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru had further established the weak-kneed approach of the UPA.

"Now, in the light of some new truths about obstacles wantonly put by former home minister Shivraj Patil coming to the fore, the prime minister owes an explanation to the nation as to why wrong information was repeatedly given to the people?", he asked.

Gadkari said the UPA seemed to have been bogged down more by the law and order situation that might arise after Afzal was hanged and not at all by the reasons for which he was put behind the bar.