Cong says ‘blank cheque’ highlights dud Pak policy

Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s startling revelation that his government gave a “blank cheque” to Chinese special envoy He Yafei to negotiate with India after the Mumbai carnage naturally did not get an official response from India.
“It is Pakistan’s affair which country they wish to give a blank cheque, it is not for us to comment,” an official said on condition of anonymity.

The Congress, however, had no such qualms. “It just shows the basic difference between India and Pakistan’s conduct of foreign policy. Our foreign policy has always been independent and we deal with each country on a basis of equality. Pakistan, on the other hand, has always been part of one bloc or the other. India has always been non-aligned and neutral,” party spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters on Friday.

Privately, Indian officials said a cornered Pakistan, under enormous pressure from the international community, wanted to tell India and its own domestic audience that old friend China was with it. South Bloc says India is not impressed because Beijing backing Islamabad is nothing new. However, China did not block the UN Security
Council decision to ban the Pakistan-based Jamaat-ud-Dawa, which India claims is a front for LeT. It is difficult for countries to act against the current international anti-terror mood. China may continue to back Pakistan, but only up to a point.

He Yafei wanted to fly to Delhi soon after his meeting in Islamabad. India, however, knew exactly what Beijing was up to and refused to entertain him. He was told Indian ministers were busy and could not meet him. He Yafei finally came in January.