NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said that instead of provoking Pakistan by showing military force, should talk to them. He also said that Pakistan may use nuclear weapons against India if provoked. Mani Shankar Iyer's remarks were during an interview.

‘If the Indian government wants, can talk tough with Islamabad. However, if you do not respect the neighboring country, you will have to pay a heavy price. They have nuclear bombs. We also have. However, if a madman decides to bomb Lahore. Its radiation does not take even eight seconds to reach Amritsar. If we respect them, they will remain peaceful. But if we insult them, what can we do if that madman comes and decides to nuke India?', said Mani Shankar Iyer.

Mani Shankar Iyer also indirectly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, serious our problems with Pakistan may be, we must work hard to resolve them. However, Mani Shankar said that there has not been any hard work in the last ten years.

BJP leaders including Rajeev Chandrasekhar came forward criticizing Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks. Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said Aiyar should go to Pakistan. He said the Congress leaders are panicking as they will lose the Lok Sabha elections. Those who do not believe in India, which has the best defense system in the world, should not stay here and should go to Pakistan. Union Minister Anurag Thakur responded that the hearts of Congress leaders are with Pakistan. He also criticized that Congress leaders live in India but their hearts are with Pakistan.