Just in: EAM Sushma Swaraj to make a statement in Parliament today on the Pakistan visit. The opposition has accused the government of a flip-flop in its Pakistan policy. Swaraj's visit, is the first by an Indian foreign minister in three years and followed a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif  on the sidelines of a climate change conference in Paris. Swaraj will probably also have to explain the secret talks between the National Security Advisors of both countries in Bangkok two weeks ago.


Swaraj had to also respond to a minor controversy last week surrounding her meeting with Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad during the Heart of Asia Conference between December 8 and 9.

The picture released by the MEA during the meeting with Sharif on December 9, showed the foreign minister and Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif seated before two flags. One flag was Pakistan's national flag, while the other was the standard of the Pakistan PM. Questions were raised over the missing tricolour. Generally, whenever two leaders meet, the flags of both nations are displayed in the backdrop.

Swaraj replied today saying, "I called on Prime Minister of Pakistan. This was not a bilateral meeting which has flags of both countries."

The other reason why the Indian flag was missing is because as per protocol, the Sushma Swaraj had met Pakistan PM as India's foreign minister. The tricolour would have been used if PM Modi had met his counterpart, Nawaz Sharif.

Twitter had exploded with indignation; here are some of the tweets:

CleviiC @cleviic Why there is no Indian flag ??
#JumlaJayegaPakistan

@mohan_amin #WhereIsOurTiranga I wish madam Sushmaji shud have given more importance to our Tiranga than to her green colour saree ! Jai Ho.

@deepak2626ad Another mistake by Indian DIplomats, Indian Flag is missing such a sham