NEW DELHI: Against the backdrop of death of six persons in firing by Pakistani troops, Congress today asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi whether he would go ahead with the NSA-level talks with the neighbouring country on the "coffins of the innocent people".
"Congress wants to ask whether these NSA-level talks would be held on the coffins of these innocent people who are dying due to Pakistan's aggression," party spokesman RPN Singh told reporters.
Singh said while Congress stands by any move to normalise relations and deter escalation of violence between India and Pakistan, the Prime Minister should walk the talk as his present policy in regard to the neighbouring country has "failed" India.
He insisted that an unprecedented situation has arisen at country's western border where Pakistan is indulging in heavy shelling and violating the ceasefire repeatedly.
"The Prime Minister did not send a tough message to Pakistan from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day. Infact in his 1.5 hour long speech, Modi did not speak syllable about foreign policy or cross border terrorism," he said.
Last month, there were 19 ceasefire violations in which four persons, including three jawans, were killed and 14 others injured, he said.
There have been more than 850 ceasefire violations from the Pakistani side since the Modi Government took office.
"While Congress always supports any initiative to annihilate cross border terrorism, it would like to draw the attention of the Prime Minister that his Pakistan policy in the present state has failed India," he said.
The National Security Advisers (NSA) of the two countries are due to meet in New Delhi on August 23.
To a specific questions whether the talks should be held, he said it is the prerogative of the government.