Pak 'least qualified' to criticize India on Kashmir: Tharoor

Pune: Amid recent efforts by Pakistan to internationalize the Kashmir issue, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that the neighbouring country is the "least qualified" to criticize India on the Kashmir issue given its record in PoK.

The three-time Lok Sabha MP from Kerala and an acclaimed author, Tharoor was speaking at the Pune International Literary Festival.

Tharoor asserted that though there may be differences between political parties when it comes to India's foreign policy, it doesn't matter.

"I would like to send an implicit message outside. We may have differences within our country, but when it comes to India's interest, it is not BJP's foreign policy, nor is it Congress' foreign policy. It is the Indian foreign policy," Tharoor asserted.

He had the right to criticize the (Union) government on Jammu and Kashmir as to the treatment meted out to the people and elected representatives of that state, he said.

"I will continue to attack the government on domestic issues, but when it comes to the international position, I feel Pakistan is the least qualified country to criticize India on the Kashmir issue. Look at what they have done to PoK (Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir)," he said.

Talking about Narendra Modi, Tharoor said he must be given his due as a democratically elected prime minister.

"Whether we like his politics or not, nonetheless he is the democratically elected PM of the country, and when he goes abroad, he is PM of India, and he carries my flag. I want him to be received and treated with the respect due to my country's prime minister," he said.

By stating this, he was not only showing respect for the institution of prime minister but also showing respect to the Indian voter, the Congress MP said.

(With inputs from PTI)