PM Modi reacts to Mani Shankar Aiyar's 'respect Pakistan' remark
What's the story
Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has come under fire from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remarks he made regarding Pakistan's nuclear capability. A controversy erupted earlier after an old video of Aiyar telling India to respect Pakistan as it has atom bombs went viral. Replying to these remarks, PM Modi said, "They say, 'Beware, Pakistan has atom bombs'. These feeble people are trying to kill India's spirit. Congress always had such an attitude."
Economy jab
PM Modi mocks Pakistan's economic condition
In his speech, PM Modi also took a jab at Pakistan's economy, suggesting that while the country possesses atomic bombs, it is struggling to find buyers due to their poor quality. "They talk about Pakistan's bomb, but the condition of Pakistan is such that they don't know how to keep it and they are looking for a buyer to sell their bombs but no one wants to buy them as people know about the quality," he said.
Congress
Congress distances itself from Aiyar's remark
On Saturday, the Congress distanced itself from the controversial comments, saying the party disagrees "totally with some remarks made by Aiyar a few months ago." Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged that the video was revived by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in an attempt to "deflect attention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's daily goof-ups." Khera also shared an old video of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in which the BJP leader "is publicly advising India to be afraid of China."
Old video
India should talk to Pakistan: Aiyar
In the old video, which resurfaced recently, Aiyar is seen advocating for dialogue with Pakistan. "If we don't give them respect, they'll think of using...atom bomb against India. India showing muscular policy should not forget that Pakistan also has muscle [atom bomb] at Kahuta [Rawalpindi]," Aiyar said. "They have atom bombs. We have them too, but if a 'madman' decides to drop a bomb on Lahore, it won't take 8 seconds for the radiation to reach Amritsar," Aiyar stated.