US special envoy should head for Pakistan: BJP

PRADEEP KAUSHAL

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 7: Even as the US insisted that India and Pakistan hold a dialogue to reduce tension on the border, the BJP here today said it favoured a ‘‘policy of progressive disengagement with Pakistan.’’

Alongside, the party, close on the heels of the return of Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee from Kathmandu, termed the ‘‘idea’’ of SAARC futile unless Pakistan stopped playing a ‘‘negative role’’. It also suggested that the Indian government rather strengthen sub-regional and bilateral co-operation among South Asian countries.

BJP general secretary Sunil Shastri and convenor of its foreign affairs cell Surendra Arora said today that ‘‘the theatrical handshake’’ notwithstanding, Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf had ‘‘given no indication of his intention to curb cross-border terrorism.’’

Shastri said that ‘‘in view of Pakistan’s continued hostility towards India and its unrelenting support for cross-border terrorism, the government should take more effective measures to check Pakistan-sponsored agencies from indulging in terrorist activities in the country. ‘‘This, in our view, can be achieved if we follow a policy of progressive disengagement with Pakistan...’’

In Bangalore, BJP president K. Jana Krishnamurthy said, ‘‘We do not want empty assurances. We want assured action.’’ If Pakistan was determined to join hands with India in the battle against terrorism, it should prove that thorough action, he said.

But, he said, Pakistan’s actions so far had only been ‘‘peripheral’’ and did not go into the ‘‘roots of the problem’’. ‘‘The Pakistan Foreign Minister says we should forget the past. Are we to forget terrorism? Are we to forget the hijack of an Indian plane? Are we to forget the attacks on J-K Assembly and Parliament?’’ he said.

Commenting on the tension along the Indo-Pak border, he said India had never sought war, but never ‘‘shied away’’ whenever it was forced upon the country. ‘‘We are ready to face any situation,’’ he said. The BJP chief said Pakistan should create a peaceful atmosphere and ‘‘let the people of India be convinced of Islamabad’s peace offer or talks offer.’’ He rejected the idea of the US to send a special envoy to the region to defuse tension between India and Pakistan.

He said that sending an envoy to India would not serve any meaningful purpose. A special envoy should rather visit Pakistan and impress upon it to take firm action against terrorists and stop cross-border terrorism.

Shastri maintained that it was no point ‘‘persisting with the idea of South Asian regional co-operation when Pakistan repeatedly plays the negative role and prevents implementation of economic and social projects for the development of the entire region.”