He said the joint statement contained two of the 'worst blunders' committed in India's diplomatic history.

'Firstly, it delinks or debrackets the bilateral dialogue process from Pakistani government's action to stop terrorist attacks on India. Secondly, it tacitly holds India guilty of fomenting trouble in Balochistan.'

Discussing the union budget, he said it was 'lacklustre, lacking in vision and direction'. He added that it had failed to invoke enthusiasm in any section of the society.

'It could not stimulate recovery in an economy that has suffered a serious slowdown,' the former deputy prime minister said.

To make things worse, it sent 'confusing signals about the government's commitment to economic reforms, compelling both the prime minister and the finance minister to make damage control statements'.