NEW DELHI, sept 17:
Union minister of state (MoS) for external affairs, General VK Singh on Monday attacked Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and said that if a person is propped up by the army, it is the army that still rules.
He added that India is adopting a “wait and watch” approach after the installation of a new government in Pakistan. Singh was reacting to the infiltration going on even after a change in the Pakistan government.
Responding to a question on incidents of infiltration at the border, he said, “Did you all expect a change? If a person is propped up by army, army still rules. Let’s wait and watch how things move, whether a person remains under army’s control or doesn’t,” Singh said.
Dialogue with Pakistan can happen only if the environment is “conducive” for talks, the minister added on the sidelines of the opening of a two-day conference – Smart Border Management – organised by FICCI.
“India’s policy is very clear. Dialogue can happen only when the environment is conducive,” Singh said when asked whether there have been any attempts from Pakistan to initiate further dialogue with India.
Referring to reports of proposals to open the Kartarpur border crossing for Sikh pilgrims, Singh said India has “not received any proposal” from Pakistan to open the route.
Earlier in an interview to TOI, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said that Imran Khan-led Pakistan government must deliver on the terror front if it wants the bilateral dialogue to resume.
She had further added that there cannot be talks just to improve the relationship, even as Pakistan entertains terrorism from its soil.
