Remove Modi to improve India-Pakistan relations: Mani Aiyar

New Delhi, Nov 17 Raking up a new controversy, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar told a Pakistani television channel that talks between India and Pakistan could move forward only if Prime Minister Narendra Modi was removed from his post.

"First, it is required to remove Modi, otherwise talks will not move forward. We'll have to wait for four years. These people are very optimistic about Modi, they think that talks will move forward with Modi's presence, but I don't think so," Aiyar told Dunya TV in an interview.

Reacting to his remark, Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla said: "Perhaps Mani Shankar Aiyar forgot that Modi ji was elected by the people. It is a reprehensible comment and we condemn it."