A day after Mani Shankar Aiyar landed in controversy for his remarks saying he loved Pakistan like he loved India, the suspended Congress leader defended his statement saying that he received more love in Pakistan because he spoke of peace.
“Thousands of people, whom I don't know, hug me, wish me. I receive much more hatred in India than the love I receive in Pakistan. So I am happy to be here. They are clapping for me because I speak of peace,” Aiyar told news agency ANI.
Speaking at a function in Karachi over the weekend, Aiyar said the need of the hour was for both countries to engage in uninterrupted dialogue.
Aiyar said that while Islamabad has accepted the policy of and need for continuous dialogue to resolve issues of bilateral importance, New Delhi has not.
"There is only one way to resolve the India- Pakistan issue and that is by way of uninterrupted and un-interruptible dialogue," he said.
He added, "I love Pakistan because I love India. India should love thy neighbour as thyself."
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Aiyar stressed that 'Kashmir' and 'India-directed terrorism' are the two main issues that need to be dealt with.
He further said that India and Pakistan should adopt a framework that was formulated by the regime led by former president general (retired) Pervez Musharraf.
Earlier, Aiyar courted controversy days before the Gujarat elections for his 'neech aadmi' comment at PM Modi .
Aiyar called Modi a "neech" (vile man) after the prime minister, while inaugurating the Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, hit out at the Congress, saying parties seeking votes in Ambedkar's name tried to erase his contribution to nation building. "He (Modi) is 'neech kism ka aadmi' (a vile man) who has no 'sabhyata' (civility)," he said, attacking Modi after the latter accused the Congress of seeking votes in Ambedkar's name but trying to erase his contribution to building India. The prime minister also accused the Congress leadership of having a "Mughal" mindset.
