<p>Mumbai: Backing the PM Narendra Modi government vis-a-vis the ongoing Operation Sindoor and the global outreach, NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar criticised the BJP-led NDA dispensation’s foreign policy saying that it has failed to create meaningful dialogue with immediate neighbours and showered praises on Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. </p><p>"If one looks at the map of India, there is Pakistan and China to the north, and Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to the east and south respectively. What is the current state of India's relations with these countries,” he questioned.</p><p>At the same breath, the 84-year-old Pawar noted how Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister, engaged with our neighbours and took them along. </p><p>The observation of Pawar, a former Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, came on the 26th foundation day of NCP (SP) in Pune. </p><p>“India had good relations with its neighbours during the tenure of Nehru…under his leadership India had the distinction of taking all the neighbouring countries along,” he said. </p>.Sharad and Ajit Pawar share dais at the Vasantdada Sugar Institute in Maharashtra.<p>About the present Modi-government, he said, “Today you can see our relations with Pakistan and China have deteriorated. Bangladesh, which was formed with India's support, is not standing with us. As far as Sri Lanka is concerned, China's growing influence raises doubts about its alignment with India….we cannot say whether we have a meaningful dialogue with our neighbours.” </p><p>Pawar, a four-time Maharashtra Chief Minister, however, backed the government on Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attacks on tourists. </p><p>“We as a political party, have never politicised issues related to national interest. After the Pahalgam terrorist attack we chose not to criticise the government. Instead, we asserted that we would support any action taken by the Centre in response to the attack," he said.</p><p>According to him, NCP (SP) would not politicise the issue but affirmed that his party, along with the Congress and Left, would continue to work at the national level.</p>
<p>Mumbai: Backing the PM Narendra Modi government vis-a-vis the ongoing Operation Sindoor and the global outreach, NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar criticised the BJP-led NDA dispensation’s foreign policy saying that it has failed to create meaningful dialogue with immediate neighbours and showered praises on Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. </p><p>"If one looks at the map of India, there is Pakistan and China to the north, and Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to the east and south respectively. What is the current state of India's relations with these countries,” he questioned.</p><p>At the same breath, the 84-year-old Pawar noted how Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister, engaged with our neighbours and took them along. </p><p>The observation of Pawar, a former Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, came on the 26th foundation day of NCP (SP) in Pune. </p><p>“India had good relations with its neighbours during the tenure of Nehru…under his leadership India had the distinction of taking all the neighbouring countries along,” he said. </p>.Sharad and Ajit Pawar share dais at the Vasantdada Sugar Institute in Maharashtra.<p>About the present Modi-government, he said, “Today you can see our relations with Pakistan and China have deteriorated. Bangladesh, which was formed with India's support, is not standing with us. As far as Sri Lanka is concerned, China's growing influence raises doubts about its alignment with India….we cannot say whether we have a meaningful dialogue with our neighbours.” </p><p>Pawar, a four-time Maharashtra Chief Minister, however, backed the government on Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attacks on tourists. </p><p>“We as a political party, have never politicised issues related to national interest. After the Pahalgam terrorist attack we chose not to criticise the government. Instead, we asserted that we would support any action taken by the Centre in response to the attack," he said.</p><p>According to him, NCP (SP) would not politicise the issue but affirmed that his party, along with the Congress and Left, would continue to work at the national level.</p>