Mani Shankar Aiyar stirred controversy by suggesting that India should prioritize dialogue over military posturing with Pakistan, cautioning that aggressive behavior might provoke Islamabad to resort to nuclear weapons. His remarks echoed recent warnings by other leaders, including Farooq Abdullah, who emphasized Pakistan's nuclear capabilities.
Aiyar, known for advocating for improved India-Pakistan relations, emphasized the importance of respecting Pakistan to maintain peace, highlighting the risk of retaliation if tensions escalate. He cautioned against dismissing Pakistan's concerns, raising concerns about the potential consequences of provocation.
Taking a veiled swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Aiyar criticized the lack of effort in resolving issues with Pakistan in recent years. However, the Congress swiftly distanced itself from his comments, asserting that they did not represent the party's views.
Aiyar's statements emerged amid heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly following PM Modi's assertion that Indian forces would pursue terrorists into Pakistan if necessary. These remarks sparked a diplomatic row, with Pakistan denouncing them as provocative.
Facing criticism from the BJP, Aiyar clarified that his comments were made months ago and were being resurfaced for political gain. He refused to engage in the BJP's narrative, pointing to passages in his recent books for further context.
