A delegation of Senior Professional Staff Members on Foreign Relations of US Senate, Charlotte Oldham, Moore Damian Murphy and John E-Zak, Political Officer US. Embassy in India called on Prof. Saifuddin Soz, Senior Congress Leader and Former Union Minister at his Humhama residence last evening. They had a wide ranging discussion on various issues with Prof. Soz. Prof. Soz has issued the following statement in this connection, today.“The US delegation had a very interesting interaction with me and I explained my position on the subjects that came under discussion.On the question of cancellation of Indo-Pak talks, I told the delegation that it was an unfortunate development that the talks were cancelled. I told them further that it was wrong on the part of Modi Govt. to stipulate conditions as Govt. of India has taken a consistent position on Kashmir and Govt. of India’s stand has been appreciated internationally and, therefore, all issues could be discussed.
I said further that unfortunately, Mr. Modi has not allowed a credible system of consultation either within his own party or with the non-BJP opposition.
I stressed that dialogue is the only way to move forward to strengthen cordial neighbourly relations with Pakistan.Coming to Gujrat Model of development, I emphasized the fact that a Senior Social Scientist from Gujrat has explained in a widely circulated article recently that the rage of Patels of Gujrat has proved the fact that all the development under Mr. Modi has lacked the inclusive character and minorities and weaker sections as also comparatively better-off Patels have not benefited from the development process. It is, therefore, an imperative that the entire process of economic development in Gujrat has to be examined minutely.Coming to the devastating floods that occurred in Kashmir in September, 2014, I stressed the fact that the Modi Govt. had refused to help flood sufferers of Kashmir and the people here have rightly characterized their neglect as a naked discrimination by the Modi Govt. against them”. (KNS)