Krishna rejects Qureshi’s charge of making phone calls to India

NEW DELHI - External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Friday rejected Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s charge that he excused himself from the ongoing talks several times to receive instructions on phone from New Delhi.

Addressing a news conference here after completing a three-day visit to Islamabad, Krishna, responding to a question on the issue, said: “I never used any telephone. I was totally cut-off from India. It is an extraordinary statement. I did not speak to Delhi. In diplomatic parlance we are always in touch.”

He further went on to say that even if this was true, there was nothing wrong with it.

“It is a fact that foreign ministers have to be and are in touch with their political leaderships. The mandate given to me (by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh) was so precise and so clear, that I did not need any further instructions from Delhi,” he added.

Qureshi had alleged on Friday that Krishna kept receiving telephone calls from New Delhi during their talks, and that he was “directed”.

“Indian foreign minister kept receiving calls from Delhi during talks. He is a senior minister and understands foreign policy-there was no need for this,” said Qureshi.

“India’s approach was selective. When they say all issues are on table, they should not be selective,” Qureshi told reporters in Islamabad.

Qureshi criticised India for being inflexible.

“We are ready to negotiate. We are not in a hurry. When they are ready, we are ready to discuss all issues and show flexibility,” Qureshi said. (ANI)