There is nothing new in Pakistan's mediation efforts, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar told political leaders at the all-party meeting on West Asia.
"India will not act as a go-between country like Pakistan," a member present at the meeting recalled the minister as saying.
The meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and attended among others by Congress president Maliarjun Kharge.
However, LoP in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi gave the meeting a slip as he had to rush to Kerala for a pre-scheduled engagement.
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| Dr Jaishankar |
Union minister Pralhad Joshi said the government was taking all necessary steps and called for unity.
“The all-party meeting is important. The government decides when to call such meetings. When the world is facing such a major crisis, it is the duty of everyone to participate.
"But irresponsible statements are being made -- calling it a failed foreign policy or a dead economy. Whether Gandhi is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha or the leader of opposition against the country itself is a question. Instead of being constructive, he has become opposed to the country and its people.”
The External Affairs Minister said India is not a "go between country" ('Dalal'). Dr Jaishankar, a career diplomat-turned-foreign minister, said the United States has been using Pakistan since 1981.
Reports suggest Pakistan and Turkey have been tried to broker peace between Iran and the US. At the meeting, the government dismissed contention of a few Opposition leaders that New Delhi has been "silent" since the war erupted from Feb 28 and added that India has been "commenting and responding" as and when required in India's larger national interests.
What observers and not from the Modi Bhakt army say?
"...The Indian government has walked a very tricky road with surprising agility. We should not be taking sides because the only side that matters is India’s side and it is not in our interest to antagonise the United States and Israel because that would then put us in the team of our old foe China. Surely, this could never be in India’s interest," wrote Tavleen Singh in 'Indian Express'.
She further added: "Some commentators are suggesting that Modi could play a useful role as peacemaker which means his ‘silence’ has helped and not harmed India ..... In this very troubled time if we have anything to be grateful for it is that the Congress Party is not in power."
Pakistan or for that matter Turley's attempts so far have not yielded expected results.
An Iranian military spokesperson mocked US attempts at a ceasefire deal, insisting Americans were only negotiating with themselves.
Lt Col Ebrahim Zolfaghari’s statement came after the Trump administration reportedly sent a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran through Pakistan.
Iran's ambassador to Pakistan also says no direct or indirect talks with the US yet.
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