AMN / New York
India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today categorically told the world that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and it will remain the same for ever. At the same time she reminded Pakistan to stop dreaming of Kashmir.
Addressing the 71st session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York today Sushma urged the world to isolate a country which does not want to join the world in acting against terrorism and told Pakistan without mincing any words that it should give up its Kashmir dreams.
Pakistan had never had it so bad. At the biggest world stage, its lies and policy on terror were totally exposed and given a befitting response by Minister of external affairs Sushma Swaraj.
Sushma Swaraj said terrorism is the worst form of violation of human rights as it targets innocent people. Taking a veiled dig at Pakistan, she said there are nations where UN designated terrorists roam freely and deliver their poisonous sermons of hate with impunity, an apparent reference to Mumbai attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed.
She also made a strong pitch for isolating such nations who speak the language of terrorism and for whom sheltering terrorists has become their calling card. The Minister called for united action from the world community to uproot the menace and demanded if any country does not becomes part of this strategy, it should be isolated.
In a strong rebuttal of the allegations made by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s from the podium of the General Assembly about human rights violations by India in Kashmir, Ms. Swaraj said he should first see what is happening in Balochistan which is witnessing the worst form of state oppression. She asserted that Pakistan cannot snatch Kashmir from India by provocative speeches as it is an integral part of India and will remain so. The Minister said Pakistan must abandon its dream to obtain the territory it covets.
The Minister also rejected Sharif’s remarks that India has placed pre-conditions for talks which are not acceptable to him. She said India has never set any condition for dialogues with Pakistan but has only tried to strengthen ties through friendly overtures. But in return it got Pathankot and Uri terror attacks.
Ms. Swaraj also called for early adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism to develop norms to prosecute and extradite terrorists. She also demanded expansion of UN Security Council to reflect contemporary realities.