After diffidence, Cong backs PM on Indo-Pak statement

New Delhi: After over a week of diffidence, the Congress on Monday came out openly backing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the controversial Indo-Pak joint statement in Egypt that has come under a lot of criticism.

"The Congress is confident that when the Prime Minister speaks in Parliament on July 29, he will set at rest all the questions, apprehensions and speculation relating to the Indo-Pak joint statement at Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt," All India Congress Committee General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi said.

A senior Congress leader had indicated on Saturday that it will back the PM on the issue clearing reported doubts over the party's attitude towards the Government on the matter.

Corporate Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid too stood by the PM and said, “There was no difference in the party and the government on PM's statement. The party firmly backs the Prime Minister.”