Swaraj Talks Doklam, Pakistan and Foreign Policy in Rajya Sabha
Sushma Swaraj asserted in Rajya Sabha that war can’t resolve India’s issues with China.
On Thursday, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj took to the Rajya Sabha to talk in detail about the Indian foreign policy with its neighbours as well as around the world.
On Doklam Stand-off
Noting that the Chinese action in Doklam is of concern, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Thursday that India will continue to engage with China diplomatically to resolve the border stand-off and that war is not a solution.
On the stand-off with China, Sushma Swaraj said that during the eighth Special Representatives meeting in 2006, the Chinese side had, in fact, handed over a non-paper for separate agreement on the boundary in the Sikkim sector.
On Relations with Pakistan
Rejecting opposition members’ charge that the government has done nothing to extend a hand of friendship to Pakistan, Sushma Swaraj recalled the steps taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including his invitation to all neighbours for his swearing-in, during which – in bilateral talks – it was decided that Foreign Secretary-level talks would begin.
She also recalled Modi's impromptu visit to Lahore for greeting then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on his birthday, but said dialogue cannot be a one-way track.
Overall, she said India's ties with its neighbours were good as was its relationship with the US, Russia and other major countries.
On Relations With West Asia
On apprehensions that ties with Muslim-majority nations in West Asia could deteriorate once the Modi government came to power, she said if there was one country with which that region has the best relationship, it was India.
The External Affairs Minister also dismissed apprehensions over growing ties between India and Israel and the alleged bypassing of Palestine.
She said Prime Minister Modi visited Israel to celebrate 25 years of establishment of diplomatic relations with that country while she and former President Pranab Mukherjee visited Palestine before they undertook trips to Israel.
On Relations with the USA
Referring to the US, she said that after US President Donald Trump talked about India wanting dollars in climate mitigation technology, the government made it clear that it was not lured by money and was committed to the Paris accord out of conviction.
Again rejecting opposition charges, the Minister said India and Prime Minister Modi were setting a global agenda, talking about terror, and black money. "While Pandit Nehru earned a lot of respect personally, Narendra Modi got respect for the whole country".
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