Sidhu clarifies visit to Pakistan: Did same what Vajpayee and Modi had done

On receiving a hug from Bajwa, Sidhu said that this meeting took place in the swearing-in of Islamabad.

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was surrounded by controversies after reaching the oath ceremony of office by Prime Minister Imran Khan and embracing his army chief, has given a clean sweep by a press conference.

Navjot Singh Sidhu has clarified that the visit was not political and he did the same which former Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee have also done. Sidhu said that I pay tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. But after the Kargil war, he also met Parvez Musharraf. Sidhu said that our Prime Minister Modi went to Nawaz Sharif's family function without receiving an invitation.

On receiving a hug from Bajwa, Sidhu said that this meeting took place in the swearing-in of Islamabad. Seeing me sitting in the first row, he met me with warmth. As soon as I was there, he told me that on the occasion of Gurunanak Sahab's 500th Prakash divas, his administration is trying to provide pilgrims views of Kartarpur Sahib situated about two and a half kilometers from Pakistan in Dera Baba without any obstruction to the devotees for India. He said that we want peace.

Sidhu said that Bajwa's words were emotional to me.

Sidhu further explained that he had received 10 invitations, after which he took permission from the Government of India. Earlier he was not allowed. Two days later when he received a visa from the Pakistani government, then Sushma Swaraj ji called him to inform that he has been granted permission.

Bharatiya Janata Party had questioned Sidhu and the Congress party had also sought clarification on this. While Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh also said that the event of meeting with Bajwa was wrong.

One user wrote on Twitter,

Navjot Singh Sidhu warmly hugs Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa. It's going to be a a freak show on Indian News Channels tonight. By the night ends, Sidhu would be declared security risk for India. Or has it already begun? #SidhuHugsBajwa pic.twitter.com/j5IiYb8Z9I

— Osha Hussain (@OshaHussain) August 18, 2018