What does Modi know about foreign policy, asks Khurshid

Slamming Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his comments on foreign policy, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Monday said that Modi should not comment on issues about which he has little knowledge and asked whether he has ever studied foreign policy.

On being asked about recent remarks made by Modi about the Centre’s foreign policy, Khurshid asked, “What does he (Modi) know about foreign policy? Has he ever studied foreign policy?”

In a satellite speech to 18 US cities, the Gujarat Chief Minister had said, “Heads of our soldiers are cut but then their Prime Minister is fed chicken biryani,” in an apparent reference to Pakistan.

“Then questions are raised: China withdraws its forces but I wonder why Indian forces are withdrawing from Indian territory? Why did we retreat (from our own territory)?” he said in relation to the Ladakh standoff and allegations that India had agreed to dismantle a bunker on its own territory before the Chinese troops withdrew

“It would be better if he discusses areas where he deems himself to be successful. But, about areas where he has made no contribution and has limited knowledge, my advice to him is that he should not speak about such issues. He should let others work,” Khurshid had said earlier replying to reporters’ queries.

Taking a dig at the Gujarat CM over United State’s denial of visa to him, Khurshid said that if anyone is not opening his (US) doors for him, then he should ‘ponder’ over the reasons behind it.

Khurshid’s ‘advice’ to the Gujarat Chief Minister came a day before his scheduled address to Indian diaspora across 18 US cities through video conferencing, as part of Gujarat Day celebrations.

“If anyone is not opening his (US) doors, then one should think a little whether there is any shortcoming in him or in the door,” Khurshid told reporters.

“One should think first and reply later. This is also part of the foreign policy. The man who has been refused entry should feel let down first,” Khurshid said.

With inputs PTI