Kutch MP flays PM's remarks on Indo-Pak drilling in Sir Creek

Bhuj, Sep 16 (UNI) Kutch MP Pushpadan Gadhvi today strongly criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's reported suggestion about India and Pakistan undertaking joint drilling operations in the controversial Sir Creek area in Kutch for oil and gas exploration.

In a statement, Mr Gadhvi said that the Sir Creek is an integral part of India and so there should be no joint venture with Pakistan.

He said Mr Singh, in a meeting with top leaders of the UPA last week, had reportedly suggested that India and Pakistan should set aside the five-decade old dispute and jointly carry out drilling in the Creek so as to save resources.

The creek is understood to have huge deposits of gas and oil.

''We have many bitter experiences with Pakistan in the past. How can we think of going for a collaboration of this nature? Pakistan cannot be trusted in any way. Such a proposal of the UPA government wll prove another blunder,'' he said.

UNI XR-MMG SSS VD RS2100