Mumbai, Aug 10: Justifying Shiv Sena's non-participation in a goodwill mission to Pakistan, party supremo Bal Thackeray today said relations with the neighbouring nation cannot normalise. "Pakistan is a enemy nation. How can we extend hands of friendship towards it," Thackeray was quoted as saying in his party mouthpiece.
The Sena supremo's reaction comes a day after an Indian parliamentary delegation and journalists arrived in Islamabad on a peace mission. The Sena chief said his decision of not sending anyone was in line with the party's old policy on which it is firm.
"How can we resolve our disputes when Pakistan is claiming its right over Kashmir?," the Sena supremo said. Asked whether he discussed the issue with the Centre, of which sena is a constituent, Thackeray replied in negative.
Those in the peace mission include RJD president Laloo Prasad Yadav and former Union Law Minister Ram Jethmalani. Bureau Report