Friday, May 19 2006 15:19 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Coming down heavily on the UPA Government, senior BJP member and Leader of the Opposition Jaswant Singh today (May 19, 2006) charged the Centre with mortgaging the country's foreign policy to the United States to the deteriment of the region's security and stability.

"There is a sense of disquiet in the overall management of the country's international relations particularly in dealing with the region and neighbourhood," Singh told the Rajya Sabha during the Zero Hour.

Citing India's change of stance in Iran after signing of the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement, Singh said it was a matter of 'grave concern' to the country.

Be it Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal or Sri Lanka, India has not only mortgaged its foreign policy to the United States but also remained silent to the developments, he charged.

This, he said, amounted to 'betrayal of Indian interest.'

The age old ties with Islamic nations were being withered.

"This is betrayal of history, geography, regional security and stability", he said.

He said Sri Lanka was on the edge of a civil war and it was regretted that Indian government remained silent.

On Nepal, Singh said, "I feel diminished that the only Hindu kingdom is no longer there."

There is a general view that the entire world felt that the actions of the US in the Middle East were anti-Islam and in such a situation, Indian government's policy has been 'paralysed' because of the July 18 agreement to the detriment of country's friendship with Islamic nations.

"India must stand up and raise its voice and desist from disastrous approach in pursuit of tiny purpose (nuclear deal) for regional stability and security," he added.