UN General Assembly highlights: We seek environment of peace, says Pakistan

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday evening. She spoke about terrorism, climate change and reforms in the security council.On Friday, Swaraj left an informal meeting of ministers of Saarc countries on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly after highlighting terrorism in her speech, with Pakistan seeing the exit as a snub.Here are the highlights of the speech:

11.58 PM IST

We seek environment of peace: Pakistan

A country that will seek resolution of conflicts. Our govt is keen to continue a relation of partnership of peace with our neighborhood. We seek an environment of peace, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pakistan Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Where the world needs bridges, we see fortifications, where it yearns for power, we see cages. Unilateralist tendencies are growing. Challenges of climate change, pandemics are becoming is even more complex, adds Qureshi.

11.55 PM IST

Pakistan begin addressing the UN general assembly

Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Pakistan, speaking at General debate of UN General assembly.

7.57 PM IST

United Nations should run on the principles of a family, says Sushma Swaraj

Step by step the importance and value of this institution is beginning to ebb. The league of nations came to an end because it did not adapt the changes needed, we must not become like that. Reforms must begin today, tomorrow could be too late. I think we must start making the changes needed in the security counsel. One subject debated most is multilateralism. The challenges is causing tension to a lot of countries. India believes that the whole world is one family. So we believe the UN should run on the principles of a family. A family runs on love and compassion. In UN we cannot say this is me mine or I, it is us we or ours. We should keep every country’s goals in mind, says Sushma Swaraj

United Nation can’t run on ‘I, me, myself’ notion, developed countries should help developing nations: Sushma Swaraj .

7.55 PM IST

Sushma Swaraj accuses Pak of making false accusations

Last year, Pakistan’s representative, using right to reply, displayed some photographs as “proof” of “human rights violations” by India. The photographs turned out to be from another country. Similar false accusations have become part of its standard rhetoric: Sushma Swaraj.

7.50 PM IST

Lie that we are sabotaging talks with Pakistan: Sushma

We are accused of sabotaging the process of talks. This is a complete lie. We believe that talks are only rational means to resolve the most complex of disputes. Talks with Pakistan have begun many times. If they stopped, it was only because of their behavior, says Sushma Swaraj.

7.48 PM IST

Terrorism is bred across our border: Sushma Swaraj

Sushma Swaraj on cross-border terrorism: In our case, terrorism is bred not in some faraway land, but across our border. Our neighbour’s expertise is not restricted to spawning grounds for terrorism; it is also an expert in trying to mask malevolence with verbal duplicity.

7.45 PM IST

Climate change and terrorism biggest threat: Sushma Swaraj

The challenges that are before the world, climate change and terrorism are the biggest threat. If we have to save the world from the adverse effects of climate change then the developed nations have to uplift the deprived countries.

7.42 PM IST

Empowerment of women the key to development: Sushma Swaraj

At the heart of Prime Minister Modi’s transformative vision is a radical idea: that the uplift of any nation is best achieved through the all-round empowerment of women. All the schemes that I have just spoken about have welfare of women at their core, says Sushma Swaraj

Under the Ujjwala scheme, 50 million gas connections have been provided so far. Under the maternity...women will get 26 weeks of maternity leave. In india, we have implemented what women across the world need, adds Swaraj.

7.39 PM IST

Swaraj expresses condolences over Indonesia earthquake

We received a very bad news this morning about the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia and on behalf of my country I would like to express deep condolences and assurance that India will cooperate during this tragic time: Sushma Swaraj

7.38 PM IST

Swaraj congratulates President of UNGA

Sushma Swaraj begins her statement at the United Nations General Assemly congratulating Ma Fernanda Espinosa on assuming the position as the President of the 73rd Session of the UNGA. Swaraj said that the first woman to occupy this eminent chair was an Indian Smt. Vijayalakshmi Pandit, in 1953.

7.35 PM IST

Sushma Swaraj begins her address

Terrorism, climate change, reforms in the UNSC and sustainable development goals are some of the issues that Sushma Swaraj is likely to touch upon.

7.12 PM IST

Sushma Swaraj to address UNGA shortly

The stage is set! EAM @SushmaSwaraj to deliver her statement at the 73rd Session of the #UNGA shortly. pic.twitter.com/B1jNQgX40f

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 29, 2018

7 PM IST

Papua New Guinea makes a formal address

Rimbink Pato, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for Papua New Guinea, speaking at General Debate of UN General Assembly.

6.45 PM IST

Latvia foreign minister speaking at General Debate

Latvia foreign minister Edgars Rinkevics speaking at General Debate of UN General Assembly.

“UN must be capable of protecting the value of human rights,” says Rinkevics, refers to atrocities in Syria, against Rohingyas and Russia’s harassment of Tartars.

6.35 PM IST

Sushma Swaraj to speak at 7pm

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj will be addressing the United Nations General Assembly at 7 pm.

आज शाम 7.00 बजे : संयुक्त राष्ट्र महासभा में भारत का सम्बोधन, #UNGA
Today at 7 PM : India is addressing the United Nations General Assembly. #UNGA

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) September 29, 2018

6.25 PM IST

Sushma likely to bring up Security council membership

Sushma is expected to touch upon the issue of much-needed reforms in the United Nations Security Council , reports ANI news.

India has been making strong diplomatic efforts for the expansion of the UNSC to allow more permanent and non-permanent members.