Defence analyst Captain (Retired) Bharat Verma on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for going ahead with talks with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif despite the recent trend of terror attacks from across the border, and said his decision has brought shame to every Indian.
"I think the whole world, including President Obama, know that Pakistan is the epicenter (of terrorism). Therefore, to discover this truth, which every child in the world knows by the Prime Minister while meeting Obama means nothing," Verma said.
"It's too late, too little because when this attack took place-and attacks have taken place before-in Kashmir Sector, violation, beheading, killing of our soldiers and now the attack on Jammu Sector, the Prime Minister should not have even thought of talking or dialoging with Nawaz Sharif because nothing has changed," he said.
"But, the Prime Minister went ahead. He appeared very desperate to talk to Nawaz Sharif. Still, after yesterday's incident in Jammu Sector, he should have had some self-respect on behalf of India to cancel talks on the spot. He did not. Unfortunately, that is where most of the Indians feel very ashamed. The Indian sentiments are not backing the Prime Minister of India," he added.
Verma also commented on Pakistan Prime Minister decision to bring up Kashmir at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, and said that for India Kashmir was not an issue of conflict anymore, as the country's stance was clear that the territory belonged to India.
"There is no Kashmir issue in India's mind anymore, except in a few people's mind of the Prime Minister of India and some of his colleagues. The rest of the country does not believe Kashmir is an issue. There is no dispute in Kashmir, Kashmir belongs to India, and the Indians are very clear about it. So, Mr. Nawaz Sharif might have a point on Kashmir (which) they have been harping (on), (but) it is irrelevant today. Therefore, if he wants to talk to India, he will have to talk from the position that Kashmir is not an issue. The issue is export of terrorism from Pakistan," Verma said.
"India has adequate resources to look after its security. I agree it does not have the correct leadership-a decisive leadership-at this moment and I hope it will change in the future to a better leadership," he added.
Earlier, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said he is looking forward to meet his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh to mark a 'new beginning' in the strained relationship between the two nations.
Sharif said both the countries have spent huge amounts on developing a nuclear bomb over the past three decades, but now they are ready to re-engage with India in a substantive and purposeful dialogue, Daily Times reports.
Sharif said Islamabad and New Delhi have wasted 'massive resources' on the nuclear arms race, which could have been used for economic well-being of the citizens.
Nawaz and Singh are expected to hold a landmark meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, despite fresh clashes in Jammu and Kashmir this week.
