Addressing the media on four years of the government, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, there is no change in India’s stand on talks with Pakistan, and that talks and terror cannot go together.
On Prime Minister Modi holding informal summits with China and Russia, she said, informal summits are new dialogue mechanism by India to strengthen and further deepen bilateral relations. The minister said government has achieved unprecedented outreach and unparalleled outcomes on the global stage.
On completion of 4 years of the Modi government’s Foreign policy External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addressed a press conference in the capital and released a coffee table book titled ‘unprecedented outreach, unparalleled outcomes, listing the key achievements of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Sushma Swaraj said India has interacted at the Ministerial level with 186 out of 192 countries in the world.
The MEA has facilitated a strong relationship with the diaspora, and connected with the common man within the country as well.
Regarding Pakistan, Sushma Swaraj said government is ready for talks with Pakistan, but terrorism and talks cannot go hand in hand. She said talks cannot be held when Pakistan constantly violates the ceasefire along the International border.
On Pakistan’s latest statement on Gilgit Baltistan, Sushma Swaraj said India has made its protest clear. She said that a country which does not respect history and spreads terrorism, cannot preach to India.
On relations with China, Sushma Swaraj said there has been no change in the situation in Dokalam. Status quo remains intact. The External Affairs Minister said the successful visit improved trust between the two countries.
On India-US relations in the context of Iran, Sushma Swaraj said India’s foreign policy is independent and not the result of pressure or reaction.
India accepts the UN mandate that there is no Ban on Iran. On the H4 visa controversy, Sushma Swaraj said government is trying its best to resolve the problem by negotiating with the US.
These are the highlights of achievements of Ministry of External Affairs
– There have been ministerial level talks with 186 countries out of 192 countries around the world.
– Government has developed close links with the diaspora, resolving their problems on Twitter. Over 90,000 people have been evacuated from foreign countries.
Hundreds of Indianshave been released from jails abroad. Indian Passport holders are respected abroad. 227 new passport service kendras have been opened. Foreign Policy has been taken to schools and villages through outreach programs.
There has been an attempt to take foreign policy to the common man in Indian languages. The Ministry of External Affairs has been promoting all flagship programs of the Modi Government.
This has resulted in a capital infusion of 14 lakh crores rupees in four years, which is 43% higher than the previous four years.
A new Department of Economic Diplomacy has been created. India has become a member of three out of four International Export Control Regimes.
India is also a full member of SCO. Under Prime Minister’s leadership several countries of the world have formed the International Solar Alliance, and yoga has been given an important place on the world stage.
The External Affairs Minister also answered questions raise by Congress party over the Modi Government’s four-year tenure.
Over the last four years it is clear that India’s prestige on the world stage has increased and that when India speaks the world listens.