Congress uppercut to BJP jab over Mani Shankar Aiyar: Old S Jaishankar video

The Congress on Friday distanced itself from senior party leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks on advocating dialogue with Pakistan in an old interview that went viral online and sparked controversy. Disagreeing totally with the remarks made by Aiyar some months ago, the party said his views did not represent the party's official stand.

During that interview, Aiyar was heard saying in the viral video that India should accord due respect to Pakistan and hold talks with it. "If India spurns the neighbouring country, some madman there can use a nuclear bomb," he said. The BJP accused the Congress of being an apologist for Pakistan and the terrorism emanating from its soil.

Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera countered the BJP's attack by sharing an old video of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's interview to ANI in which he was heard saying that it was common sense for India not to pick a fight with China as it was the "bigger economy".

He tweeted, "The Indian National Congress dissociates itself completely from and disagrees totally with some remarks made by Mani Shankar Aiyar a few months back which have been revived today by the BJP in its attempt to deflect attention from Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi’s daily goof ups. Aiyar does not speak for the party in any capacity whatsoever."

"The Indian National Congress and indeed the entire nation recalls with pride that in December 1971, Pakistan was broken and an independent Bangladesh emerged thanks to Indira Gandhi's decisive and determined leadership and the valour of our armed forces," Khera said.

"Almost exactly 50 years ago, on May 18, 1974, under the leadership of Indiraji, India's nuclear capability was announced to the world. The Indian National Congress has always believed that our decision-making should be guided by the supreme national interest," he added.

Khera further said, "And if old videos are to be used, here is a not-so-old video where the External Affairs Minister is publicly advising India to be afraid of China."

Clarifying his viral remarks, Aiyar said that it was obvious from the sweater he was seen wearing in the interview that he made the comments in the winter several months ago.

"They have been dredged up now as the BJP's election campaign falters. I refuse to play their game. Interested persons may please read the relevant passages in my two books released by Juggernaut last year, 'Memoirs of a Maverick' and 'The Rajiv I Knew'," he said.

Aiyar was the second leader in recent days to warn about Pakistan's nuclear capabilities. Earlier this week, National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah remarked sharply that Pakistan could resort to using atom bombs if provoked.

(with inputs from PTI)