‘Let’s accept what Pakistan says’: Congress leader’s bizarre remarks on Pahalgam attack

As tensions mount between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, a senior Congress leader on Monday stirred up a row after he said New Delhi should accept what Islamabad says about its alleged involvement in the strike for the time being.

 

Saifuddin Soz, a former Union minister, said India and Pakistan are neighbours and nothing will work between the two countries except "dialogue".

 

"If Pakistan says it is not involved, let us accept that argument for now and rely on our investigating agencies, who will know better. India and Pakistan are two neighbours; the neighbourhood cannot be changed, whatever you do," Soz told news agency ANI.

 

"Ultimately, what will prevail between India and Pakistan is dialogue. Dialogue and discussion. No military solution, no arms, no sword. Nothing will work except word of mouth, that is dialogue," he said.

 

The Congress leader, however, added that every Indian should adopt the line that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has adopted.

 

"The Prime Minister will decide the course of action along with the cabinet. We are a democratic country; there is a cabinet system. Whatever the cabinet decides, will be the action the Prime Minister will take. He has better knowledge on this," Soz further told the news agency.

 

The former Union minister also expressed his concerns over India's decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, saying water should be allowed to flow to the sea in its natural course.

 

"I don't think India should go that far. It is a treaty that has worked well even during wars. It offers advantages to both India and Pakistan. If we block the water, it will submerge Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Water should flow to the sea through its own course. I feel we must not go that far," Soz said.

India