Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being soft on Pakistan and China, Congress today said, "the bull has become a bear".
The party described as "confusing" the government's policies vis-a-vis the two neighbours, saying "diplomacy is not a sound and light show" in evidence during his visits abroad but needs "hard-nosed strategic planning".
"Total confusion prevails. Diplomacy is not a sound and light show. It is hard-nosed strategic planning. This government lacks both experience and understanding. The 'bull' has become a 'bear'," senior party leader Kapil Sibal told reporters.
Recalling Modi's frequent attacks on Pakistan during the Lok Sabha poll campaign, Sibal wondered how he had done a "U-turn" after becoming the Prime Minister.
"You are now even willing to go to Pakistan and talk to Nawaz Sharif during the SAARC Conference....This government's confusing signals have not only confused Pakistan but also confused our own people," said Sibal.
Congress has been targeting Modi since his meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Sharif on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Ufa, Russia, earlier this month where the two leaders decided to re-engage.
Sibal said Modi's foreign policy with regard to China is "even more confusing."
"Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean stares us in the face. China has signed agreements for use of Gwadar port in Pakistan, Chittagong in Bangladesh, Hambantota in Sri Lanka and Sittwe in Myanmar. What is Modi's response to it-silence. China is wooing Maldives and Seychelles," he added.
Sibal insisted the "high-profile visits, sound and light shows" publicised in the US, China, Australia and the one proposed in the Silicon Valley may be good for publicity but hardly represent the protection of the country's vital interests through a well thought out foreign policy.
