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New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) Amid reports of confusion within the India block after the Bihar election schedule was announced, Congress MP Tariq Anwar on Friday clarified that there are no differences over seat sharing and discussions are on.
Speaking to IANS, Tariq Anwar said, “There is no confusion in the India block. Discussions are going on, talks are taking place. Elections are coming near, but it is not necessary to take any decision in haste.”
He also reacted to the Election Commission’s recent statement that it has not received any complaints from voters in Bihar regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), saying that only the people of Delhi were concerned, which was an apparent jibe at the petitioners challenging the process.
Anwar said, “A request has been made to publish the list of people whose names have been removed and the reasons should be given. We want the Election Commission to explain why the names were removed, how it was done and on what basis.”
He also commented on the US government’s clarification that a recent amendment to an existing military contract would not result in the delivery of new advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs) to Pakistan, calling Pakistani media reports about the deal “false”.
“Our foreign policy should ensure that such weapons are not provided to Pakistan by any country because they can be used against India. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Government of India should pay close attention to this,” Anwar told IANS.
Commenting on the suicide of IPS officer Puran Kumar, whose wife had claimed that he faced caste-based abuse, Anwar said, “If there is truth in it, it is a matter of great concern. If his wife has made such a statement, then there must be some truth in it. The government should take strict action. The way Dalits are being treated is extremely unfortunate.”
On Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki’s visit to India, during which he met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and assured that Afghanistan will not allow terrorists to use its soil, Anwar said, “This is a good step. India should maintain strong and positive relations with neighboring countries.”
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Afghan counterpart Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaki in New Delhi and the two discussed India’s support to Afghanistan’s development, bilateral trade, territorial integrity and independence, people-to-people ties and capacity building among many other issues.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said Muttaki’s visit to India is an “important step” in taking bilateral relations forward. He also announced handing over five ambulances to Afghanistan.
After the talks, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar wrote in a post on Instagram, “Delighted to meet Afghan FM Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaki in New Delhi today. This visit is an important step in furthering our relations and reaffirming the enduring India-Afghanistan friendship. India’s support for Afghanistan’s development, our bilateral trade, territorial integrity and independence, people-to-people relations and potential were discussed.” building. “India will upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to the status of Indian embassy.”
–IANS
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