Sushma at UNGA: “We’re Fighting Poverty, Pak Is Fighting Us”
Sushma Swaraj is at the 72nd annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York.
advertisement
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 23 September. Swaraj spoke about India’s concern of Pakistan’s connection with terror activities, climate change, poverty, and more. Earlier in her trip, Swaraj held a trilateral meeting with US and Japan, and met foreign ministers of Denmark, Latvia, Bhutan and Tunisia. She also met US President Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, as well as US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Swaraj is scheduled to head back home on Sunday, a day after her address.
- External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived in New York on Monday for the 72nd UN General Assembly session
- She held a trilateral meeting with US and Japan on day one
- She held a meeting with Ivanka Trump on day two to discuss her visit to India and women’s empowerment
- On the second day, she said India supported the Palestinian cause
- She met her counterparts from six nations on day three
- Swaraj spoke about terror funding, Pakistan and North Korea on day four
- She raised the issues of terrorism and H1-B visas in a meeting with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson
- She addressed the UNGA on her last day, and brought up the issue of Pak-funded terrorism
Watch: MEA Sushma Swaraj at UNGA
PM Modi Pats Sushma on the Back
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to congratulate MEA Sushma Swaraj after her speech.
Sushma Slams Pak
'If We Cannot Agree to Define Our Enemy, How Can We Fight Together?'
Describing terrorism as an "existentialist danger" to mankind, India wondered how the international community will fight the menace if the UN Security Council cannot agree on the listing of terrorists.
Swaraj was apparently referring to China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, which has repeatedly blocked India's move to put a ban on Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar under the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the Council. The JeM has already been in the banned list.
On Demonetisation, GST, Beti Bachao, Jan Dhan
Swaraj said demonetisation was a "courageous" decision taken by Prime Minister Modi to challenge the black money – one of the by-products of corruption.
She also said India has passed the Goods and Services Tax (GST) legislation, through which there is one-tax across the country, without the untidy and punishing system of multiple taxes under differing categories in different parts of India.
She said that all of the economic programmes – Jan Dhan, Mudra, Ujjwala, Skill India, Digital India, Clean India, Start-Up India and Stand-Up India – have a principal purpose, the empowerment of the poor.
"The Jan Dhan plan must surely count as the world's largest financial inclusion scheme," she said, adding that at least 300 million Indians who had never crossed the doors of a bank today have bank accounts: this is equivalent to the population of the United States of America
Threats Endangering South Asia's Peace on Rise: Swaraj
The number of threats and incidents endangering South Asia's peace and stability are on the rise, Sushma Swaraj said on Friday, in an apparent reference to Pakistan.
Swaraj, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session, said regional prosperity, connectivity and cooperation can take place only in an atmosphere of peace and security.
“It, however, remains at serious risk in the region. The number of threats and incidents that endanger South Asia's peace and stability are on the rise," she said in the opening statement at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Foreign Minister meeting.
Swaraj said India attaches the highest priority to the development and prosperity of the region under its "Neighbourhood First" policy.
Swaraj, earlier, underscored the need to combat terrorism in her multilateral meetings and sent a "very strong" signal to Pakistan to stop using it as an instrument of state policy
Swaraj Raises the Issues of H1-B Visas and Terrorism with Rex Tillerson
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj raised the issue of terrorism and H-1B with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson as the two leaders met for the first time in a bilateral setting.
Swaraj and Tillerson, who met on the sidelines of UN General Assembly session, also discussed strengthening of the US-India political and economic partnership, officials said.
Swaraj also strongly raised with Tillerson the issue of H1-B visa, the most sought after by Indian IT professionals. They also discussed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy.
"The two ministers discussed regional issues, with a focus of Pakistan, Afghanistan and terrorism," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said..
"Terror Groups Draw Sustenance From Support Systems in South Asia"
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday said that the five-member BRICS, which includes China, should work to end terrorism's "support systems in South Asia," making a pointed reference to Beijing's ally, Islamabad.
At a ministerial-level meeting of BRICS here, she said without naming any country: "Terror groups draw sustenance from support systems in South Asia"
China has repeatedly blocked efforts to put United Nations sanction on Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, who India says is the mastermind of the 2016 terrorist attack on the Pathankot air force base. It has also protected Pakistan from action for protecting those under UN sanctions.
Swaraj on North Korea
On North Korea's recent offensive military posturing, Sushma Swaraj on Thursday said: "The action and rhetoric of North Korea has been a source of growing global concern."
China is opposed to Council reforms that would enlarge the UN's highest decision-making body, especially if it would give India and permanent seat, while Russia has been lukewarm.
Turning to climate change, she suggested an alliance between International Solar Alliance and the BRICS Development Bank.
"I hope we can work together to give this ambitious agenda practical shape in coming months," she said.
Swaraj Calls on Afghanistan President Ghani
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday called on Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and discussed issues of mutual concerns, situation in the region and bilateral ties.
"Boosting strategic partnership with a special friend,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
Swaraj is unlikely to have a bilateral meeting with her Pakistani counterpart Khawaja Asif.
Sushma Swaraj Spoke at the G-4 Foreign Ministerial Meeting
Sushma Swaraj also spoke at the G-4 Foreign Ministerial Meeting.
Sushma Meets Counterparts From 6 Nations on Day Three
Continuing with her hectic diplomatic engagements, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday held bilateral meetings with her counterparts from six countries, including Brazil and Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly Session.
"Strengthening strategic partnership between India Brazil, Sushma Swaraj meets Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes Ferreira," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted
India and Brazil are part of the G4 countries, apart from Japan and Germany, which are seeking permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council.
Following this, Swaraj also met Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.
"Enhancing relations based on centuries old economic & socio-cultural ties. Sushma Swaraj meets with Saudi Arabian counterpart in New York," Kumar said in a separate tweet.
Sushma Swaraj Speaks at Leadership Summit on Environment Pact
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday spoke at the Leadership Summit on Environment Pact, presided by French President Emmanuel Macron.
“Living in harmony with nature and sustainable patterns of consumption is central to our ethos. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed that the protection of environment and mother planet is an article of faith for us,” Swaraj said at the summit.
“India will continue to work on this above and beyond the Paris Agreement. Our commitment is for the future generations,” she added. “ We are ready to work closely with UNSG and relevant UN agencies, especially in the context of the International Solar Alliance,” she concluded.
Sushma Interacts With Mauritian PM
Sushma Announces Aid For Countries Worst Affected By Hurricanes
Sushma Swaraj announced an aid of 200,000 USD to countries worst affected by recent hurricanes at the India-CARICOM (Caribbean Community) ministerial meet.
Sushma Meets Norway and Belgium's Foreign Ministers
SushmaSwaraj on Tuesday met Norway's Foreign Minister Borge Brende as well as her Belgian counterpart Didier Reynders.
Sushma Meets Mexican Counterpart
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met with her Mexican counterpart Dr Luis Videgaray Caso.
Following the meet, the MEA handle tweeted that the meeting boosted historically close and warm relationship.
India Stands With Palestinian Cause: Sushma
Speaking at the Ministerial Meeting of NAM Committee on Palestine, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that India expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause. She added that India’s support for Palestinian people and their cause is ‘historical’. She also added that India’s commitment to the Palestinian cause can never be undermined.
Rohingyas Not Discussed
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson stated that the meeting with Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina was not to discuss the Rohingyas.
Swaraj Meets Ivanka Trump
The Ministry of External Affairs also met with US President Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump.
Trump also tweeted about the meet, stating that she has respected “charismatic and accomplished” Swaraj for a long time.
Foreign Investment Discussed with UAE
Sushma Swaraj met the UAE Foreign Affairs Minister and discussed measures for attracting more foreign investment to India.
Maritime Security, Proliferation Discussed
“Issues of maritime security, connectivity and proliferation were discussed at trilateral meeting between India, US and Japan”, stated the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.
North Korea’s recent aggressions and nuclear tests were also discussed at the meetings.
Swaraj Meets Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina
Sushma Swaraj Meets Foreign Minister of UAE, Bahrain and Denmark
Sushma Swaraj met the Foreign Minister of UAE, Bahrain and Denmark on Monday.
Swaraj Meets Latvian Foreign Minister
External Affairs Minister SushmaSwaraj met Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs in New York on Monday.
Pakistan Has Been the Face of International Terrorism: Indian Reply at UN
At the UN, India talked about the challenges of peacekeeping in Kashmir while tackling terrorism. India reiterated that “Jammu and Kashmir is an intregral part of India”.
Indian representatives at the UN also said that “PoK is run by a deep state and has become an epicenter of terrorism”, stating that there is evidence to suggest cross-border support to terrorism.
Sushma Meets Bhutan PM, Tunisian FM
EAM Sushma Swaraj met Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and the Tunisian Finance Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui on the sidelines of the UN meeting.
Lawmakers Arrive at High Level Meeting on UN Reforms
Sushma Swaraj Holds Trilateral Meeting
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj attends India-Japan-US trilateral meet with her American and Japanese counterparts Rex Tillerson, and Taro Kono respectively.
The Ministers emphasised the need for ensuring freedom of navigation, respect for international law and peaceful resolution of disputes. the MEA said.
The ministers also talked on the initiatives that needs to be taken to improve connection, prudent financing and respect for sovereignty. The three Ministers directed their senior officials to explore practical steps to enhance cooperation.
China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea. Beijing has built up and militarised many of the islands and reefs it controls in the region.
China claims sovereignty over all of South China Sea.
Responding to a question about what kind of pressure can be put on North Korea to curtail its nuclear ambitions, Tillerson said, "We'll have plenty of opportunity to talk about that with many, many of international leaders. I think the UN Security Council resolutions speak for themselves, a unanimous view of what's needed for North Korea to correct its situation."
Sushma to Hold Trilateral Meeting
Sushma Swaraj was received at the airport by the Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna and India’s permanent Representatives to the United Nations Syed Akbaruddin. A number of meetings are lined up for the minister on 18 September to kick off her official engagement at the UNGA.
She would kick off her official engagement later on Monday with a trilateral meeting with US and Japan.
Aimed at lending momentum to cooperation between the three countries, the meeting assumes significance amid China flexing its muscles in the region.
Swaraj to Participate in High-Level Meeting on UN Reforms
In a day jam-packed with consecutive meetings, Swaraj will also participate in a high-level meeting on UN reforms, hosted and chaired by US President Donald Trump.
India is among the 120 countries which have supported the reform efforts of the UN Secretary General.
She is also scheduled to meet Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics and her Bolivian counterpart Fernando Huanacuni Mamani.
The focus of the meetings are going to be on issues of climate change, terrorism, people-centric migration and peacekeeping. Akbaruddin earlier said that Swaraj will also participate in a special panel of selected countries by the UN Secretary General on climate action.
(With ANI and PTI inputs.)
(#TalkingStalking: Have you ever been stalked? Share your experience with The Quint and inspire others to shatter the silence surrounding stalking. Send your stories to editor@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)