Modi Govt Has Covered 186 Out of 192 Countries: Sushma Swaraj

Speaking on 4 years of Modi government, Sushma Swaraj brought up Pakistan, saying terror & talks can’t go together.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. 

(Photo: Reuters)

Addressing the media on four years of the NDA government, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday, 28 May, lauded the success of its “unprecedented outreach and unparalleled outcomes” policy at the global stage, outlining how this government has reached out to 186 out of 192 countries across the world.

I was surprised to hear that there were so many countries that our leaders didn’t go to (before the NDA government). When we formed our government, we thought that we will cover all the 192 countries present in the United Nations for ministerial-level talks. And we have covered 186 countries already.

Sushma Swaraj

Outlining the work of the Narendra Modi-led government in its four years of rule, Swaraj said India has secured membership of three export control regimes out of four since this government came to power in 2014.

On Pakistan: ‘Terror and Talks Cannot Go Together’

Swaraj, who released a book on the achievements of her ministry in the last four years, also brought up relations with Pakistan, asserting that “terror and talks cannot go together”.

We never said we are not ready for talks, but there is a caveat. Terror and talks cannot go together, be it post-elections (Pakistan’s general elections are scheduled for 25 July) or even before. When people are dying on the border, then we cannot be having talks.

Sushma Swaraj

Responding to a question on Pakistan’s Gilgit Balistan Order 2018, Swaraj was quoted by ANI as saying:

The answer we got in response to what happened with the Gilgit Balistan Order 2018 was laughable. They tried to teach us history. Pakistan always distorts history and doesn’t believe in law. The only thing I felt while reading their answer was, ‘Look who’s talking’.

Sushma Swaraj

As regards the Doklam issue, Swaraj reiterated that the “status quo is continuing” and “there is no change in the situation” at the Doklam faceoff site, reported ANI.

She also sought to refute the Congress’ apparent allegations that the country’s relations with Russia have deteriorated, saying “they are far from the truth”, as she cited the recently held informal summit between PM Modi and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI.)