External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said that while the warmth and ease in relationship between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif can help resolve complex issues between the two countries, India has made it clear that terror and talks cannot go together.
Swaraj said that the NDA Government was pursuing a three-point formula vis-a-vis Pakistan, which is to solve every issue thorough talks, involve no third party in bilateral engagements, impress upon Pakistan that terror and talks will not go hand-in-hand.
During her annual Press conference on Sunday, Swaraj said the relationship with Pakistan is on a different platform under the Modi Government as for the first time Islamabad has come forward to help nab culprits of Pathankot airbase terror attack.
“So far they have been in a denial mode, but for the first time PM Nawaz Sharif on his own called up PM Modi and promised action. For the first time an investigation team came from Pakistan,” Swaraj noted. She clarified Pakistan has not refused to allow the National Investigation Agency team to visit that country to probe the Pathankot attack case but has only sought more time to analyse the evidence it has collected.
She clarified that the Foreign Secretary-level talks between the two countries have not been called off. “After Pathankot attack, there were expectations from Government and people that there should be some concrete steps from their side. This expectation is not unreasonable. So we are waiting for concrete steps from their side,” Swaraj said while adding there are forces which do not want good relations between the two PMs and better ties between the two neighbours.
Swaraj also mentioned India’s growing relationship with the US, Russia and other SAARC countries. Talking about India-US relations, the Minister said despite good relations with the US, the Centre is not compromising its national interest nor moved away from its policy towards Non-Aligned Movement.
“While we are redefining our partnership on one side, wherever we find the US is going against India’s interest we are opposing it. Our growing relations with the USA has not impacted our relations with Russia and China,” Swaraj added.
Talking about terrorism, Swaraj said India is working for an early adoption of the long-pending Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). The India backed draft CCIT is held up on over disagreement on definition of word terrorist. However, Swaraj said, several countries — including those in the Gulf region — have recognised the need for having a uniform approach to dealing with terrorists.