Modi failed to craft a coherent policy on Pakistan: Congress

New Delhi: The Congress on Friday condemned Pakistan's attempt to "internationalise the sensitive issue of Kashmir" and accused the Narendra Modi government of failing to craft a coherent policy towards the neighbouring country. "Pakistan's blatant attempt to internationalise the sensitive situation in Jammu and Kashmir, one where they have been an agent provocateur for over two decades, needs to be condemned in the strongest terms possible," Congress spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters here. He said Pakistan's stance "raises a question about the complete absence of not only a strategy, but even a tactical approach which the Modi government has regarding Pakistan". "It is absolutely a flagrant violation of the position that India has consistently taken, that all issues with Pakistan will be sorted bilaterally," Tewari said. Pakistan on Friday demanded a UN-backed independent and transparent probe into what it called the "extra-judicial" killings in Kashmir and termed the situation in the state a grave threat to peace and security. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday also said Pakistan will observe July 19 as Black Day against Kashmir killings. Tewari said the belligerence and impertinence which is emanating out of both the security and political establishment of Pakistan is to a large measure because the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Modi have failed to craft a coherent policy towards Pakistan. "When was the last time India heard a statement from the UN Secretary General on Kashmir? Throughout the 10 years of the UPA government, there was never an attempt to interfere," said Tewari. "When was the last time that you heard the US talk about resolving Kashmir through talks between India, Pakistan and Kashmiri people." Sharif on Monday called for a plebiscite in "occupied" Jammu and Kashmir to let its people decide if they want to be with India or align with Pakistan. In a statement on Friday, Sharif also voiced "concern and deep sorrow" over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by security forces that triggered widespread violence in the Kashmir Valley.