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Khurshid wonders why Modi hasn't visited any Arab nation

Last Updated 23 May 2015, 16:30 IST

Countering BJP's claim about India's image having been bolstered during the one-year rule of Narendra Modi government, Congress leader Salman Khurshid today wondered why the Prime Minister did not make a trip to Arab countries on whom the country depends for its oil. 

"Prime Minister visited the US, France, Japan, China, South Korea, Australia and several European countries in the past one year but has no time to make a visit to Arab countries from where we get supply of oil and natural gas," Khurshid told reporters here. "Why has he not gone to Iran which is the main supplier of natural gas to India?" the former External Affairs minister questioned.India made a lot of investments in Africa..."But, there is no clarity on Africa under Modi," he said.

Khurshid made a scathing attack on the PM for making "disparaging" comments against previous UPA government on foreign soil like "Scam India versus Skill India" and "Indians felt ashamed of being born in India earlier which they do not have to now".

"In place of 'skill India' he is talking of 'Kill India' by tarnishing image of the country in the eyes of international community," he said.

"How hollow is the claim that everything has changed for India internationally in just one year...it takes nine months for a baby to be born," he commented sarcastically.

On Pakistan, the former External Affairs minister said the present government in fact has "aggravated" the situation which the UPA government was trying to improve with the help of America, Afghanistan and SAARC nations. 

"After inviting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the swearing-in ceremony and hugging him, the Prime Minister gave the impression we can extract anything from him.

"But, in truth what happened?... Sharif, who was trying to mend relations with India was pushed in a difficult position back home whereby his country's defence and ISI were after him and questioned his visit to India," he said.

"He used to say that after coming to power if Pakistan beheads one Indian on the borders we will claim their 8 heads...is he counting the bodies in Pakistan's regular shelling on borders in violation of ceasefire?" the former External Affairs minister said. He also criticised the Prime Minister's reported assertions after China tour that he would bring a lot of money from that country in support of 'make in India' campaign.

"This has sullied India's image as a poor country...China has tremendous investment in US have you ever heard President Barack Obama making claim he would bring Chinese money into his country?" he said. 

Khurshid said the foreign policy of a country was result of a continuous process. In India's context, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and even Atal Bihari Vajpayee contributed immensely to it, he said.

"But, instead of recognising all these contributions Narendra Modi is trying to project nothing had been done earlier and everything is happening during his time," he said.

Khurshid reiterated the accusation of his party that the Narendra Modi government was in fact working to "further interest of a few people which keeps putting pressure on him."

He said this was also true with the media as the government has good rapport only with a few houses which they think would not criticise.

Modi was helped by the media in coming to power as the fourth estate created a favourable environment for him by severely criticising the previous government."But, now the same mediapersons are not allowed to go inside any ministry in Delhi with their mobile phone and camera," he commented. 

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(Published 23 May 2015, 16:29 IST)

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