India-Pakistan joint statement not even worth the paper on which it’s written: Congress

Targeting Modi over the issue, Sharma said, “Prime Minister will have to reply to the nation on what grounds did he do it? What was the assurance which satisfied him to take such a big step?

“There was no reason for the joint statement after the PM’s meeting and it being presented by Pakistan in a different manner to embarrass India on the world stage.”

He was reacting to the statement of Pakistan Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, who on Monday made it clear “no dialogue will take place with India unless Kashmir issue is included in the agenda.”

While a joint statement issued after the Sharif-Modi talks in Ufa said the two sides will find ways and means to expedite the Mumbai trial, Aziz on Monday indicated that it will take some time, putting the onus on India as he asked for “more evidence and information” from India on the Mumbai attack.

“The statement given by Pakistan proves that the meeting was just an eyewash and the meeting was just for show without any seriousness. The nation has been shamed…,” Sharma said.

Attacking Centre over its handling of Pakistan issue, he said, “Keeping in mind what has happened, we can say that there are no guidelines, no clear plans to engage with Pakistan on issues.”

Finding fault with the joint statement, he said, “In this backdrop some concrete questions were left like punishing the perpetrators according to law. The economic roadmap between two countries was not mentioned.”

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