Doklam standoff to ‘Pak-sponsored terror’, Sushma takes on Congress: Full speech
Speaking on the Doklam standoff in Rajya Sabha, Sushma Swaraj said war was not a solution and India would resolve the issue through talks.
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj made a forceful speech at the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, asserting that war was not a solution to the military standoff with China along the Sikkim border.
Here are four points Swaraj made on Thursday during a four-and-a-half-hour discussion on India’s foreign policy and engagement with strategic partners.
On Doklam standoff
Patience and bhasha saiyam (restraint on statements) are very important to resolve the issue. If there is no restraint, it provokes the other side...Countries have armies to stay prepared for war. But war is not a solution to anything. Even after war, there has to be a dialogue. So have dialogue without a war.
On Pakistan
Terror and talks cannot go together. The day they stop promoting terror, we will start the talks...You are asking what is our Pakistan road map? We had declared it even before the swearing-in...The story changed after (the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander) Burhan Wani when they (Pakistan) declared him as a martyr.
On Congress
You should have first sought details from the government and then confronted the Chinese envoy (a reference to Rahul Gandhi meeting the Chinese ambassador)...Do you know through where the OBOR passes?...It is a matter of national sentiment (for India). You are the main Opposition party, You should speak with responsibility.
On India’s diplomacy
You say that India stands alone. This is far from the truth...You are say during 1971, the US was with Pakistan, and Russia was supporting India. Today both Russia and the US are supporting India. This reflects the success of our foreign policy.
Watch Sushma Swaraj’s full speech in Parliament: