A Befitting Reply to Pak: Politicos React to Sushma’s UNGA Speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to give Swaraj a gentle pat on the back.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addresses the United Nations General Assembly, Saturday, 23 September, at UN headquarters.

(Photo: AP)

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj delivered a hard-hitting speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday. Swaraj began slow, talking of India’s struggle with poverty, and of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives. Gathering momentum, her speech soon took the elephant in the room head on – terrorism and Pakistan’s apparent hand in harbouring it.

Swaraj’s speech won applause back home, with her colleagues from the party, as well as others, congratulating her on sending a strong message to Pakistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to take to the microblogging site Twitter, to give her a gentle pat on the back:

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Home Minister Rajnath Singh also joined the Prime Minister in congratulating Swaraj:

Other BJP members too had only good things to say:

Opposition Reacts:

While party members were naturally expected to toe the line, others too expressed their appreciation of Swaraj’s speech on Twitter.

Notably, the Congress Party has praised her for replying to “those who ask what happened in the last 70 years”. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala thanked Swaraj “for stating hard facts about India and Pakistan at UN” in a series of tweets.

Notably, the Congress Party has praised her for replying to “those who ask what happened in the last 70 years”. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala thanked Swaraj “for stating hard facts about India and Pakistan at UN” in a series of tweets.