In a letter written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Modi said: “I am writing on a serious issue of talks being held on Sir Creek being handed over to Pakistan. Any attempt to hand over Sir Creek to Pakistan would be a strategic blunder considering the history and sensitivity of the region.”
“I would earnestly request you to stop this dialogue with Pakistan at once and Sir Creek should not be handed over to Pakistan,” Modi wrote in the letter. “I am writing to you at this juncture as I was told that a decision is being taken on Sir Creek issue on December 15,” Modi added in the letter.
“Sir Creek has been settled 100 years back between the rulers of Kutch and Sindh. Even the tribunal verdict in 1968 headed by British Prime Minister Harold Wilson shows Pakistan getting only 10 per cent of its claim of 9,000 sq km of this border area,” the letter mentioned.
Modi said in the letter that handing over Sir Creek to Pakistan would totally open up the Gujarat border with Pakistan, adding that he was given to understand that Pakistan recently carried out a joint operation of its army, air force and navy, codenamed Sea-spark-12, almost one month ago very near to Sir Creek.
“I would request you to stop taking any decision on this crucial issue on December 15th. After the elections are over in Gujarat, I shall seek your time to discuss this issue with you,” Modi said in the letter.
Government sources said Modi was trying to stir up trouble and score brownie points on the eve of phase one of the elections due today (Thursday). Gujarat is in the middle of elections for the provincial assembly, which Modi’s party is almost certain to win.
Modi’s warning drew an almost instant response from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), charging that Modi’s remarks did not contain an iota of truth and that he was playing politics with an internationally sensitive issue.
Rebutting the letter, the PMO statement said the chief minister’s assertions were inaccurate and unsubstantiated. The government said it was in discussion with Pakistan about Sir Creek and “these discussions have been carried out by successive governments of India since the dialogue process began in 1998, and continued after Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee’s visit to Lahore.”
“The allegation in the letter that Sir Creek is about to be given to Pakistan is untrue,” the PMO statement said, adding “therefore, the other conclusions drawn from this alleged fact are also not real.”
The PMO statement concluded that Modi had made no efforts to get the facts from the government before writing the letter and releasing it to the media.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 13th, 2012.
COMMENTS (53)
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@Born again Indian: "A majority has the moral obligation to protect the minorities, EVEN if some minorities may have broken the law." Why? Are you the one to define "moral obligations" and, if so, on what grounds do you decide? What are the "moral obligations" of a minority after they have broken the law, now that you have cast in stone those for the majority? All law-breakers are generally a minority. So, how do you protect such minorities. Unless, like all sickular Indians, you believe the only minorities are Muslims! As your moniker suggests, you should have gotten rid of the sickness of Hindus called "we are better than them", "two wrongs don't make a right" etc. etc. "condescension"! Evidently, you haven't!
@secularsheet:
"Justice UC Banargee was not a supreme court judge then he retired back in 2002"
And after retirement he started lying.
"So they must be right when they say about abuses in balochistan ,pakistan minorities also?"
I never ever claimed that there were no issues of religious extremism and intolerance in Pakistan. The only difference is in the level and scale. While in India, thousands of innocents are killed in a go by the malevolent Hindu mobs with the active support and participation of state organs, in Pakistan the numbers are in single digits and mostly done by Indian supported terrorist outfits, not by public.
"over 200 people who were guilty were sentenced as per law"
Any proof. And what sentences they got? What I know is 11 Muslims got death sentences and 23 got life imprisonments for accidentally causing the death, as per justice Banerjee, of 58 Hindus. How many Hindus got death sentences for intentionally killing over 2,000 Muslims - None! How many got life imprisonments - less than 10. How many got punished for gang rapes - None. How many got punished for arson and looting - None.
"SIT which appointed by honorable supreme cleared mr modi as he was not involved."
All the three members of SIT were active duty officers from Gujarat Police. And every body knows who was their super boss. None other than the principal accused, Narendra Modi, and the secondary accused party, the Gujarat Police herself. Here is a brief of Deputy Commissioner of Internal Security in the State Intelligence Bureau:**
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had asked police officers to be indifferent to rioters during the 2002 massacre
"senior IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt’s statement made before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had asked police officers to be indifferent to rioters during the 2002 massacre (I was there. Narendra Modi said let the people vent their anger, 19 February). On 22 April, Bhatt filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court to this effect.
Bhatt was the Deputy Commissioner of Internal Security in the State Intelligence Bureau when the post- Godhra riots took place. More than 1,200 people were killed across Gujarat in the riots. Bhatt said he had shared the information about the controversial meeting with the SIT, but the team neither took him seriously, nor did it follow up on other crucial leads that could have helped establish the role of Modi and other ministers in the riots."
You think the world is so blind that you can tell them whatever lies you like and they will believe. Why the governments of USA and UK imposed ban on Narendra Modi to enter in their countries and canceled already granted visas? Here is the account of an interview of Babu Bajrangi with Tehelka exposing the Modi's role in the massacre, "After Killing Them, I Felt Like Maharana Pratap".
@LALA GEE 1- An Indian Supreme Court judge, Mr. Justice Benerjee, who is also an Indian Hindu, is lying.
Justice UC Banargee was not a supreme court judge then he retired back in 2002 and we are not religious chauvinist like you our chief justice kabir is a muslim .
2- Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and many other organizations are lying.
So they must be right when they say about abuses in balochistan ,pakistan minorities also ?
3- All the photographic evidences are fake. 4- All the witnesses and the victims are fake and lying. 5- All Tehelka, TOI, and other media reports and news are lies.
1.neither toi tehelka or any photo shows that mr modi was involved in any case. 2.over 200 people who were guilty were sentenced as per law. 3.SIT which appointed by honorable supreme cleared mr modi as he was not involved.
Only you and your leader, Narendra Modi, is right. Keep this delusion to yourself, world is not so blind.
keep your delusional,denialist and india hating views to yourself . we all know how much the world believes on you guys .when you cry only for muslims and do severe atrocities on minorities at your home no one believe you . (REMEMBER-myanmaar ?)
@Born again Indian:
I, on my personal capacity apologies to my fellow Indian Muslim brothers and sisters.
That is your nobility & as it is your personal gesture one should hold one's silence respectfully. And yet I make bold to say with utmost humility that it is quite unnecessary & pointless. One may recall that Ramayana's author Valmiki's wife had told him when the great sage was still a highway robber that he couldn't possibly hive off his sins to her nor could she atone for his crimes on his behalf. Transference of guilt & by extension of apology,despite Gandhian overtones,has limited effect apart from satisfying oneself. Let the real culprit earn his just deserts in peace someday, & earn he will, kind intercessions notwithstanding. Until then one has to wait. After all, patience is both a virtue & a necessity in India.
@Lala Gee:
India will not give up Sir Creek. So what?
Pakistan was formed out of India, not the other way around. There is no such thing Pakistan(in its current form) History before 1971. We gave away many parts of Pakistan and its our imperative what we choose not to give. We also took East Pakistan away in response to your actions in 1965.
We have committed so many injustices to Pakistan(allegedly) and Pakistan has hurt itself standing up to India grievously. Whats one more injustice, huh?
@Khi.Gb.Ajk:
"Most obvious thing that India definitely want is Space for Comments in Pak papers. "
Haha! Yes. Absolutely.
But, asking for our opinions to be heard(a Democratic yearning imbedded in every Indian) is far better than 10 of us landing on the shores of Karachi and killing indiscriminately, isn't it.. I hope you don't disagree with that? :)
@secularsheet:
"you are such insane personality, again and again the sane insane logic of benarjees politically influenced report which was According to High Court “illegal” and “unconstitutional”"
1- An Indian Supreme Court judge, Mr. Justice Benerjee, who is also an Indian Hindu, is lying. 2- Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and many other organizations are lying. 3- All the photographic evidences are fake. 4- All the witnesses and the victims are fake and lying. 5- All Tehelka, TOI, and other media reports and news are lies.
Only you and your leader, Narendra Modi, is right. Keep this delusion to yourself, world is not so blind.
I am a semi-regular reader of ET, but mostly enjoy the comments more than the article.
I usually do not see a balanced view of some of the extreme commentators. Good that they do not masquerade.
@LalaGee: I usually disagree with your views, but keep quite. Everyone has the right to their views. I saw the pictures posted by you and Yes I was disgusted. I am not sure if Modi was directly involved, but it happened on his watch.There is no excuse.
To all my fellow Indians: We can and should give the facts; 800 Vs. 2000; Hindus+Muslims vs. Muslims only etc. But, we must deplore this act until end of times. A majority has the moral obligation to protect the minorities, EVEN if some minorities may have broken the law. This is especially applicable to the actions and responsibilities of the state.
I, on my personal capacity apologies to my fellow Indian Muslim brothers and sisters.
I am an Indian. ..Peace
@BruteForce: Most obvious thing that India definitely want is Space for Comments in Pak papers. Now you can't disagree with me on that, can you?
@gp65:
They do not know full facts because they are not invited to participate in an ongoing negotiation & interim reports do not carry all nuances of the talks. That can be remedied. BJP can press Parliament to pass an amendment and put foreign affairs on concurrent list,if States so desire. That would be simple. Every Indian is a stake holder in anything concerning India. And so? Today it is one arrogant CM saying "don't do till I say so", tomorrow they all may want to participate in negotiations. Centre then will have to invite CMs of Gujarat, Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Arunachal, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, TN & so on & to attend negotiations since we have disputes with all neighbours. Should negotiations be held with Pakistan on Sir Creek as dictated by Modi, then on Kashmir as per Abdullah & then wagah-border issues as per Punjab's Badal & Munabao-Khokhrapar as authorised by Rajasthan's Gehlot? And will they take responsibility for which way it all goes finally? If this stunt is tried out by Arunachal's CM, the Chinese will see more red than anything they have seen. Negotiations are ongoing work in progress, at times at very delicate stage,it has other players & Track II negotiators too and above all it has the other country that should not be embarrassed by loose talk since not everything can be put in written reports prematurely. Therefore CMs should be strictly treated on need to know basis. Modi in particular.
@Rakib: "However, it may be a matter of some concern to Delhi that border state CMs like Mamta,Jaylalitha & Modi are childishly speaking out of turn concerning BD,SL & Pak, advising on matters for which they are not equipped with all facts"
Foreign policy is defnitely a central subject. But are you saying that border state CMs are not stakeholders? IF the federal government has not consulted them and kept them fully informed (since you say that they speak without knowing full facts), who is responsible for that ommission?
@Havi-Ex Leader PNA: I agree with most of what you say but I guess you forgot Bangladesh in terms of what your army lost?
@Falcon: "Isn’t it surprising to see that our Indian friends on this forum keep lecturing us on harmony and peace when they have black sheep in their own leadership. Why don’t they start off by cleaning up their side of the house first?"
Modi was a new Chief Minister less than a month in his role when riots occurred in Gujarat almost 11 years back (feb 2002 to be precise) in response to an incident where 60 Hindu pilgrims were burnt alive by extremist Muslims. Modi's connection to the riots is no more or no less than Qaim Ali Shah's to the Karachi target killings. The only difference is that in Gujarat after the first 2 days of rioting where 790 Muslims and 250 Hindus died, army was called in by Modi and the riots stopped. No further riots have occurred in close to 11 years during which Modi has been in power despite frequent provocations including 60 devotees in Akshardham temple who were killed by Muslim extremists in Oct 2002.
The people responsible for riots are being prosecuted and sentenced among which are 33 Hindus including a senior minister already sentenced. As a result of active stance of media, judiciary and civil society there have been no communal riots in India in the past approx 11 years.
Are you sure there is no difference between India treats such matters vs. Pakistan?
@LALA GEE
You left the debate previously also :P _ http://tribune.com.pk/story/427819/india-politician-guilty-of-murder-for-gujarat-riots/#respond-p427819
@LALA GEE
you are such insane personality, again and again the sane insane logic of benarjees politically influenced report which was According to High Court _ "illegal" and "unconstitutional" since Nanavati-Shah Commission was already conducting inquiry in all riot-related cases and whose results stand 'invalid'.
_
Nanavati commision is the official recognized commission said
In 2008, the Nanavati commission came out largely in favour of the Gujarat government's aspect. Nanavati's evidence hinged on the acquisition of 140 litres of petrol hours before the arrival of the train and the storage of the said petrol at the alleged key conspirator's, Razzak Kurkur, guest house. This was further corroborated by forensic evidence showing fuel was poured on the train compartment before being burnt.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002Gujaratviolence#Shah-Nanavaticommission _ And HENCE _ Godhra verdict: 31 convicted in Sabarmati Express burning case _ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-02-22/india/286244911_maulvi-umarji-godhra-train-maulana-umarji _
keep history distortion to your own place we don't like it here mate ;)
@Shaan Gupta: So what is the problem here. I myself am from Bihar and I agree to your points regarding Nitishji. But tell me one little thing- which of the politician in India is not communal. BJP is supporting Hindus partly. What is wrong with that ? All the others are pro Muslim- but that is not because they love Muslims but because of their votes. Maybe you support Khangressis- tell me one Khangressi starting from the Top- just one.
I understand , it's Mr.Modi under which leadership , Pak was defeated thrice.Pak also lost Bangladesh under Modi's leadership. Modi was there to defend a terrorist named Jinnah(yes, ET has allowed others to write Modi terrorist, So I can write so).That's why Pakistanis are so furious on him. Height of Hippocracy !!! *
@Shamsunder: alias Dr.Sinha: alias Sania Khan:
Here I am just copy pasting from my previous comment, because I don't want to waste any moment of my time to answer your baseless accusations, which you also raised in a previous article.
"I don't say much myself, I don't have to, and I don't need to, because there is so much already said by the world's human rights organizations - I just quote them and borrow from their reports. I am amazed by your, and @gp65, logic that since some protesters unintentionally, or intentionally, caused an accident ("Banerjee Commission Report") which resulted in the death of 58 people, now punishing all the followers of their religion is justified, even though the others don't have anything minutely remote to do with the incident. What kind of doctorate did you do, and where did you get your education? Is there any law and law enforcement bodies working in India, or it is a wilderness where the only law of jungle is 'might is right'. If this is the way of thinking of educated Indians, no wonder the kind of extreme brutalities committed by the ordinary masses during the riots. Check this long "List of Reports", and read them as well, related with the Gujarat massacre which are published by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, the two most respected organizations working globally for the human rights. Mind you, these reports cover only the Gujarat holocaust; there are many many more covering the massacres of Sikhs and Muslims of Delhi, Bombay, Ayodhiya, Kashmir, Assam and elsewhere. There are also several reports covering the sufferings of Indian Christians from the hands of Hindutva followers."
For photographic evidence of the Hindutva proponents' extreme brutality, malevolence, bigotry, and intolerance, watch this slide show available on 'Human Rights Watch' website. These slides are enough to make a sensible person shiver and sweat, but that certainly wouldn't be you!
@Yuri Kondratyuk:
Contrary to what this guy @sick to my stomach says, Modi is not a "pan-chewing" guy; he dislikes pan. As for the other "compliments" such as "hate-mongering, monkey-looking ... etc." the writer must be describing himself, subconsciously. @sick to my stomach badly needs a shrink because he is fantasizing in these columns. You don't have to repudiate this sick guy.
We want Mr.Modi to put Big industries and solar plants there . We only need development and money.
@hillbilly you are saying - learn some lesson from thousands of years of your history,bhindia has always been a biaatch of northern invaders.
which means we must be biaatch kids no ?
Modi's statement is not just very well timed, but it is something every patriot will ask. The small strip of land is a matter of Gujarati pride and Indian identity and the current government is not taking it seriously
From the comment section it is quiet evident how much infatuated Indians are with Pakistani news website & how they hijack it to infect it with their hatred for us! There are more Indian trolls over here & they also impersonate as Pakistanis just to give a sense of division & incite hatred which is really low of them. It also shows us their true faces that they love Modi terrorist & believe in hatred not peace..
@Lala Gee: Its because of people like you, every Pakistani is being labelled as a pathological liar.
@True Picture: Peace process in terms of giving away sir-creek? No way.
@Falcon: Its a matter of perception,..about who is a blackship. You are happy with your folks,..so are we. Just make sure your folks do not sent 10 people with arms across border.
:
Sir Creek, Siachen, Rann of Kutch... we lost quite a bit of territory. A member of us Nationalists once suggested we create another (Nationalist) army to defend our borders. He may actually be correct.
@hillbilly: There are hindus in Pakistan and Muslims in India. Keep your fight with India and keep religion out. Pakistani Hindus are our brothers and their history is part of Pakistani history... Raja Dahir is our hero... not Muhammed bin Qasim who was arab. Accept every religious group and ethnic group and we will flourish.
Nationalism and religion are two separate things. You would do well to learn that from (some non-communal) Indians.
Also Indians, times change. You may be at the top right now but there may soon come a time it all changes. Developing a nation depends basically upon the leadership. India has found its leadership.
@BruteForce:
learn some lesson from thousands of years of your history,bhindia has always been a biaatch of northern invaders......its funny watching bhindus flaunting their bhindis.
Foreign affairs is the exclusive privilege of the central government at Delhi & States are not supposed to make public statements. Modi talks nine to a dozen but he is not privy to the current status of the subject or the delicate nuances of negotiations. By his talk he has also thumbed nose at BJP-top brass at Delhi & at Leader of Opposition by stealing their thunder. I am surprised that Pak media is even taking note of his warbling on a subject of which he is quite ignorant & knowing it is no more than playing to the gallery in election mode. However, it may be a matter of some concern to Delhi that border state CMs like Mamta,Jaylalitha & Modi are childishly speaking out of turn concerning BD,SL & Pak, advising on matters for which they are not equipped with all facts...
@Zaheer: "come on Pakistan and India, move on, stop this war. We need peace! Almost all our budget is being spend on defence. How long we gonna do this? someday we have to stop this, why not today? Peace!"
Your budget (pak) is, not ours. As BruteForce mentioned, we are happy with status quo. Take it or leave it.
Isn't it surprising to see that our Indian friends on this forum keep lecturing us on harmony and peace when they have black sheep in their own leadership. Why don't they start off by cleaning up their side of the house first?
@sick to my stomach:
Truth is that Pakistan would be lucky to have an administrator with one tenths of his ability and integrity. Besides, he has a small but loyal Muslim vote bank in Gujarat.
@Helix: How about Sir Creek and Indian Occupied Kashmir together for Dawood Ibrahim? That would be a fair deal :)
@Lala Gee: We should give it to you to convert fiction into fact and distort the realities. First of all, Sir Creek is seen as an integral part of India. The funny noises that Pakistanis make over how India has taken away everything from them is but an expression and an admission of their 65 year-old failed state which is as bad, or even worse than, at the time of its creation. That unsavoury chapter of history having been resolved -- that Pakistan goes its way and India its own -- the self-annointed "land of the pure" has never come to terms with India's growing strength juxtposed by Pakistan's steady decline in almost every sphere of life. Pakistan needs a raison d'etre for its existence and that of its bloated armed forces which have become a liability, rather than an asset, for the nation, because the budget of the Pakistani armed forces devour a large chunk of the dwindling revenues the country derives. Sir Creek, like Kashmir, is but an excuse for Pakistan to justify its own existence because, otherwise, it exposes the country's dismal failure. While at the time of partition, many Indians resented the carving of a Muslim state out of their nation, the vast majority of Indians today are very happy that Pakistan separated and would like to remain so in posterity. The majority of Indians say that partition was the best thing that happened to them. But Indians would also like to live in peace, harmony and mutual prosperity with Pakistanis whom they would like to treat with respect as their brothers. But are you prepared to de-fang the venom that you pour out in these columns against India? Having said this, I don't think there is any truth or even any substance in your sweeping statement:
" It is people like Modi who have kept 1.5 billion people hostage to their spiteful malicous nature and do not let the two nations live in peace and harmony by inciting hatred for their personal political gains. If looks have anything to do with a person’s nature, anyone can understand why what happened in 2002 Gujarat massacre under his chief minister-ship."
Modi may not be my favourite politician -- and I would certainly not vote for him -- but he has not kept "1.5 billion people (where do you get your figures -- from Mars?) hostage to their spiteful malicious nature ..." Sir, you need to have a rational dialogue in these columns because your hate-India rant, which virtually peppers almost every column of this esteemed paper, can destroy your credibility. You blame India for all your miseries, a typical Pakistani reaction which sees every caluminity caused by outsiders but not by Pakistanis themselves. If you have rain in your country, blame it on India; if there is drought, again, India must have done the mischief. Isn't this becoming a joke on your part? You have, many times, accused Modi of the massacre in Gujarat, but the fact is that the killings of Muslims, tragic as it was, was caused by Muslims who torched a trainloard of Hindu pilgrims. This led to an outburst of rioting in the course of which Muslims were killed. Modi did not provoke or led the rioting (contrary to the mobs led by your "highly respected" mullahs who tear down temples, order the kidnapping and forced conversions of minor Hindu girls or shoot 14 year old girls in the head simply because they want to attend school). Also, Modi was tried in court which exonerated him because there was no evidence to link him with the Gujarat riots. In a secular India, the loss of every life -- Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian and other minorities -- is a loss too many. Human lives are precious to Indians because that is God's greatest gift to mankind and should not be destroyed because some people have different beliefs or they worship differently or have a different ideology. Mr. Gee learn to tolerate others, even if you don't accept what they believe. That is the essence of democracy which, sadly, Pakistan NEVER had despite creating the semblance of having one. Having given my explanation to repudiate your hardened views, I trust you will not take this personally because it is merely aimed at correcting a falsehood which you seem to be nursing.
I think Mr Modi made this statement for political purposes. Having said that, I am of the view that Pakistan state's conduct over last 65 years or so is testomony to the fact that generosity by India is not appreciated by Pakistan who misreads Indian genorosity. This has happened many times.
Sir Creek for Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. That would be a fair deal.
Sir Creek is a border demarcation dispute. Neither Pakistan, nor India haas full claim on the creek. The issue is almost settled after several rounds of dialogues, but signing the agreement has been postponed on one or the other pretext due to political reasons. It is people like Modi who have kept 1.5 billion people hostage to their spiteful malicous nature and do not let the two nations live in peace and harmony by inciting hatred for their personal political gains. If looks have anything to do with a person's nature, anyone can understand why what happened in 2002 Gujarat massacre under his chief minister-ship.
"Government sources said Modi was trying to stir up trouble and score brownie points on the eve of phase one of the elections due today (Thursday). Gujarat is in the middle of elections for the provincial assembly, which Modi’s party is almost certain to win."
A good short-cut indeed for a known trouble-maker. Sir Creek is Pakistani territory regardless of what Modi thinks or not.
as a solution they should remove borders for next 15-20 years at Sir Creek... let Pakistan and Indians live together, if this model works well then do the same in United Kashmir and later in United Punjab also... Lets end the bloddy madness from both sides and love shall prevail. ensha Allah!
Modi terrorist, better stay out of this matter!!! let peace process go ahead.
come on Pakistan and India, move on, stop this war. We need peace! Almost all our budget is being spend on defence. How long we gonna do this? someday we have to stop this, why not today? Peace!
Sixty five years bigots vs bigots.Losers are people of sub.continents.
A well timed political game. Proves all is fair in politics be it any part of the world. Hope region can enjoy peace and prosperity in our lives which until now seems to be wishful thinking.
Bravo Mr.Modi. Congress will stoop to any level to gain minority votes.
Hate-mongering, monkey-looking, pan-spitting, ethnic joker. Can't believe he hasn't been hanged for murdering 2000 people. He should be in the same category as OBL
aman ki asha modi style
Modi rocks...
We can manage with Lady Creek as well.
See its so obvious both in Pakistan and India these issues are all about political point scoring. No one is really serious to get over with these issues and move forward for regional progress.
In only modi's case would one expect reply from maunmohan singh in an hour otherwise here is a guy who will not open his mouth even in front of a dentist
Nitish Kumar is better than Narendra Modi. Modi is a communal person, he might have brought about development in the state of Gujarat but so has Nitish Kumar. Nitish ji brought about a backward state into a flourishing Indian state. Long Live Nitish Kumar as next PM of India, thumbs up if you agree.