Talking at the 73rd session of United Nations General Assembly, India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj brings up Pakistan’s active role in allowing terrorism to breed in South Asian region in front of other countries.
Pakistan's commitment to terrorism as an instrument of state policy has not abated one bit, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told world leaders at the UN on 29 September, Saturday, and asked them how can India pursue talks with a nation that "glorifies killers" and allows the Mumbai attack mastermind to "roam free" with impunity.
Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday, 29 September 2018.
In her speech, she attacked Pakistan and said “India is not sabotaging talks” and “we need a common definition of terrorism.”
Referencing the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, she said “Hafiz Saeed is still roaming freely” and accused Pakistan of calling terrorists “freedom fighters.”
She also spoke of climate change and reforms in United Nation Security Council.
"Developed Nations Should Pitch In for Climate Change"
Recognising the role of developed nations in assisting lesser equipped nations, Swaraj also highlighted what needs to be done on the climate change front.
“If we have to save the world from the adverse effects of climate change, then developed nations must lift the deprived with financial and technical resources.”
'26/11 Ruined Expectations of Peace'
Raking up terror attack that shook United States in 2001, Swaraj blamed Pakistan for spreading terrorism and ruining expectations of peace. She said,
“The 9/11 incident in New York and 26/11 incident in Mumbai ruined the expectations of peace. India has been a victim of this and the challenge of terrorism in India is coming from none other than our neighbouring nation.”
'Talks With Pakistan Stopped Because of Their Behaviour'
Accusing Pakistan of sabotaging the process of peace talks, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in her United Nations address said, "Talks with Pakistan have begun many times." She clarified that if peace talks have stopped, "it was only because of their behaviour.” She added,
“We are accused of sabotaging peace talks. This is a complete lie. We believe that talks are only rational means to resolve the most complex of disputes.”Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister, India
Calls for Reform in UN Security Council
Addressing the need to reform the Security Council, Swaraj said that the concerns of developing nations should be represented. She said that the “United Nations must accept that it needs fundamental reform” and that “reform cannot be cosmetic.”
“We need change the institution’s head and heart to make both compatible to contemporary reality. Reform must begin today; tomorrow could be too late.”