CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami on Monday expressed concern over Centre’s “no talks” policy with Pakistan and described New Delhi’s policy “inconsistent and detrimental”.

“India’s inconsistency became evident when in September she accepted Pakistan government’s offer for a meeting of the two foreign ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and later took a U-turn. The recent joint efforts in preparing the Kartarpur Corridor was a vital component in restoring normalcy in relations. But India followed it up by refusing to be a part of upcoming SAARC meeting in Islamabad,” said Mr. Tarigami.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was using a “blinkered approach” to relations with Pakistan and was “constricting its scope for strategic autonomy”.

By falling back on a hardline stance, the Modi government was only underscoring its contradictory and self-defeating stand in its relations with Pakistan, he said.

“Resumption of the comprehensive dialogue should take place, while maintaining a firm stance on tackling terrorism. Dialogue is the only option to resolve issues as wars, violence and ceasefire violations on borders have only resulted in death and destruction in the last seven decades,” said the CPI(M) leader.

He said there was a need to open more cross-LoC travel and trade routes between divided parts of Jammu and Kashmir. “A similar arrangement on the pattern of Kartarpur Corridor must be made for the pilgrims to Sharada Peeth, an important temple across the LoC,” he added.