Indirectly targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the country’s “failed†foreign policy, former Defence Minister and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said on Tuesday that it has failed to create a conducive atmosphere for “meaningful dialogue†with neighbouring countries.
Addressing a party convention held on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of his party held in Pune, Pawar said that India had good relations with its neighbours during the tenure of the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, but New Delhi’s relations with all the neighbouring countries had deteriorated.
“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,†Pawar said.
Expressing serious concerns over India’s inability to maintain good relations with its neighbour, 84-year-old Pawar said, “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?â€
“Today, 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,†the NCP chief said.
