Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday told the visiting Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar that in the absence of any ‘worthwhile progress' in the Pakistani courts in the trial of those accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, confidence building measures between India and Pakistan do not have ‘much relevance.'
Ms. Khar also called on L.K. Advani, working chairman of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), to seek the support of the BJP-led alliance for improving relations between India and Pakistan.
Registers protest
A statement issued by the BJP said Ms. Swaraj, in her meeting, registered protest over Ms. Khar's meeting with the separatist leaders of Kashmir.
A statement by the Pakistan Foreign Office said, in her meetings with BJP leaders, Ms. Khar emphasised the importance of the BJP's support for a sustained and result-oriented engagement between the two countries.
She informed the party leaders that there was consensus among all Pakistani political parties to improve relations with India.
“Ms. Swaraj and Mr. Advani said the BJP was in favour of better relations with Pakistan. It was during the BJP government's term that a number of positive developments took place in India's relations with Pakistan,” the statement said.
