The Hindu : National : Advani sees mishandling of foreign policy

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Advani sees mishandling of foreign policy

C. Jaishankar

Wants India to intervene immediately and effectively in affairs of Sri Lanka

“India’s influence over Sri Lanka has dissipated”
Expresses confidence over chances of BJP coming back to power

PARAMAKUDI (TAMIL NADU): Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani on Thursday said mishandling of the foreign policy by the United Progressive Alliance government led to the crisis in Sri Lanka, where Tamils were undergoing agony and suffering and in Nepal where chaos and confusion were prevailing for the past three days over the sacking of the army chief.

Mr. Advani was addressing an election meeting here to seek votes for BJP’s Ramanathapuram constituency candidate S. Thirunavukkarasar. He said that there was a time when Sri Lanka would not have taken a major decision without India’s approval. “We exercised great influence over Sri Lanka. But in the last five years this influence has been dissipated. The Tamil people in Sri Lanka have to suffer a lot because of the wrong policies. I can fully understand the agony and anguish of Tamils here over the sufferings of their brethren in Sri Lanka.”

Mr. Advani said the Foreign Secretary met him on Thursday to discuss the current situation in Sri Lanka and Nepal. “I told him that India’s policies towards these countries must change. India must intervene immediately and effectively in the affairs of Sri Lanka to stop the suffering of Tamils.”

“Opportunistic”

Terming the Congress’ alliance with Left parties “opportunistic,” he said it had led to the crisis not only in Sri Lanka and India but also in Nepal. “The Congress-led government has outsourced the problems of Nepal to the Left parties and told them to handle it. The mishandling of Nepal led to the capture of power by Maoists.”

He described the revolt over and reaction to the sacking of Nepal’s army chief as “natural.” The country had been in a state of chaos and confusion. Similar to the agony of Tamils in Tamil Nadu over the suffering of Sri Lankan Tamils, the people of Utter Pradesh and Bihar are very much concerned about the crisis in Nepal. “These are the failures of foreign policy of the Manmohan Singh-led government.”

While criticising the UPA government on price rise, Mr. Advani said, “Each and every person and the “aam aadmi” is feeling hurt because of the steep increase in the household budget due to the enormous rise in prices of rice, dhal, sugar and others.”

He expressed confidence over the chances of the BJP coming back to power. “I have so far visited 123 Lok Sabha constituencies. Going by my own assessment and evaluation, the BJP will emerge as the single largest party to form the next government.”

It was during the NDA regime the country could achieve greater success whether it was transforming the nation as a nuclear power or creating excellent roads and other infrastructure, he added.

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