What is the issue about India-Pak joint statement?

Recently we have been witnessing the opposition's attempts to vehemently push the UPA govt. into accepting that the India-Pakistan joint statement is flawed and shall not be acceptible to the country.

Here's why it is: There are two particular mentions in the statement issued from Egypt, where the PMs of both the countries met, that are the reasons behind the contentions.

1.

Both Prime Ministers recognized that dialogue is the only way forward. Action on terrorism should not be linked to the Composite Dialogue process and these should not be bracketed. Prime Minister Singh said that India wasready to discuss all issues with Pakistan, including all outstanding issues.

Which means we shall, as it says in the above statement, not wait for Pakistan to act against elements of terror operating against India from within Pakistan but continue having talks on other issues. In a way this is to indicate that the govt. of Pakistan has not much to do for terror attacks being planned from their country on India. Clearly not the line that most Indians would agree with, particulary after attacks of the audacity of the ones in Mumbai are conducted.

2.

Prime Minister Gilani mentioned that Pakistan has some information on threats in Balochistan and other areas.

To have let this point appear in the joint statement is accepting to debate out 'interests' in Balochistan, whereas officially we have none. This also suggests we have no problem in Pakistan suspecting out involvement in the revolution underway in that part of Pakistan. This is, as it is, the first time the Balochistan issue has been allowed to be mentioned formally to India. Once again, the govt. should have never let this appear on the statement.

Even more ironical is the fact that the 2nd point reproduceed above got the first mention in the statement.

So it is no surprise that the entire opposition in the parliament is asking for the parliament to be taken into confidence when such major decisions are to be made with regards to India's foregin policy, citing the govt.'s inability to act in the right way.

Personally I shall not be supportive of excessive interference by the Legislature in the affairs of the Executive but in the case of a weak government like this, it shall not be difficult for me to be swayed the other way.

Here is the full statement, courtesy The Hindu.