New Delhi: A passionate Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday defended Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Indo-Pakistan joint statement in Lok Sabha, saying the government's stand on terrorism remains undiluted.
Mukherjee said that relations with Pakistan have not been cordial but India cannot stop talking.
Referring to the Balochistan issue, Pranab said, "Balochistan is Pakistan's internal matter, why should India interfere?"
The senior Congress leader also attacked the Opposition, saying foreign policy is not based on the whims of one individual or party.
However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continued its offensive on Balochistan, asking just what was the need to mention it in the joint statement.
Earlier on Thursday morning, Congress president Sonia Gandhi came out in strong support of the Indo-Pak joint statement, addressing party MPs. She clearly clarified her party's stand over the joint statement and Pakistan policy.
"The PM made a firm and unequivocal statement in the Lok Sabha yesterday... No one should be in any doubt on our party's position vis-a-vis Pakistan. We support the resumption of the dialogue with Pak. But only after it has demonstrated its seriousness to bring the perpetrators of 26/11 attackers to justice," said Sonia.
The Congress president said these are imperative for restoring confidence and building an environment conducive to any meaningful dialogue.