At UN General Assembly, Sushma Swaraj likely to follow Narendra Modi's stance on Pakistan

New York: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will address the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Monday, where she is expected to lead India's attack on Pakistan and seek global support to dub it a "terror state", following the Uri terror attack that killed 18 soldiers.

Taking a cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first public speech, post the 18 September Uri attack, on Saturday where he openly warned Pakistan of isolating it internationally, the External Affairs Minister is likely to take a tough stance, and is likely to be blunt, vis-a-vis the western neighbour.


Source:-firstpost
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US tells Pakistan to 'limit nukes', Pakistan says 'no'

NEW DELHI: Even as India considers military options to deal with cross-border terror after Sunday's Uri attack, a comment from Pakistan today - especially its timing - should give pause to anyone in New Delhi considering ill-thought-out plans of retaliation.

"Pakistan's nuclear program cannot be restricted," said Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi, today in a New York press conference, Pakistani media reported.

Lodhi said that at a meeting with US secretary of state John Kerry urged Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to limit Pakistan's atomic program. In response, Sharif told Kerry that what was expected of Pakistan must also be implemented by India, according to Lodhi.

"The world should first put an end to nuclear activities undertaken by India," Lodhi told reporters, adding that Pakistan's inclusion in the Nuclear Suppliers Group was also discussed during the meeting with Kerry.

Source:-indiatimes
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EXCLUSIVE: We are not on Twitter, will Sushma Swaraj still help us, ask families of men held captive in Iran

The ordinary believer may fast from dawn to dusk for the month of Ramazan, but for Noorjehan Umar Thaim the ritual of fasting has continued since her husband, seafarer and captain, Umar Salemamad Thaim (45) was put in captivity in Iran over two years ago.

She is not alone. In all, three families in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state are awaiting the return of their breadwinners. Striking, in this case, is the near absence of any meaningful response by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) especially the minister Sushma Swaraj, celebrated often for addressing the woes of those like Thaim using the micro-blogging site Twitter.
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Umar loaded his 45 metre long vessel Al Shena (registered VRL 11303) in Dubai and charted course for the Yemeni port of Aden.


Traversing the Persian Gulf in their 700 ton dhow (wooden boat built especially in Mandvi in Gujarat's Kutch region) was a routine matter for Umar Thaim. Transporting cargo from one port to the other is what Gujarati seafarers have done for centuries. In early August of 2014, Umar loaded his 45 metre long vessel Al Shena (registered VRL 11303) in Dubai and charted course for the Yemeni port of Aden. A usual response to a storm which was gaining strength saw Umar Thaim dropping anchor close to the Iranian port of Jask near Bandar Abbas. He would regret this decision.


On the fifth day of the month, before they could pull themselves back into their journey, the Iranian authorities swooped down upon them, arresting the 12 member crew and apprehending the boat. Said Isha Thaim, "They were taken to the port of Jask further east and then put behind bars in the city of Minab". It was not clear whether the arrest took place inside the territorial waters of Iran or outside. It was also not clear what charges were slapped against the apprehended crew.


Within months, the Iranians allowed the vessel to be taken away and also released nine of the 12 crew members. Only Umar, Ibrahim Sap (25) and Sajid Sumra (23) were held back. The families claim they neither knew the cause of the arrest or the cause of release. "I am in the business of dhows, so have my ancestors. At sea, it is common practice to seek shelter in case of a storm. We fail to understand the cause of their actions. We don't have even a piece of paper explaining why our relatives are being held for over two years," said Isha Thaim, Umar's relative and the owner of the vessel. "Hum Twitter pe nahee hai lekin thoda sa Twitter hum ne bhi kiya tha. Sushmaji ka koi reply aaya nahee lekin," he added. Isha Thaim and his cousin Ilyas Thaim have been camping in the capital for over a week, trying to get an appointment with Swaraj. They've enlisted support from their community, sent emails, carry a recent letter by the local BJP Member of Parliament Vinod Chavda addressed to Swaraj and are waiting. "We are yet to hear from MEA. Our families back in Gujarat have so much hope from us that they call us several times every day and ask the same question. We feel fed up that we have nothing to tell them even after spending so many days in Delhi," said Ilyas Thaim.

Source:-indiatoday
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John Kerry extends stay, will now fly to China: Diplomatic message to Beijing?

Pakistan. This could be a couched message of re-hyphenating India, but now with its eastern neighbour China.

Earlier, Kerry's plan to visits to a temple, mosque and a gurdwara, a choice some were viewing as a subtle iteration of the concerns on religious freedom, got washed away due to heavy rains that lashed Delhi on Wednesday morning. He was expected to visit Gurdwara Sisganj Sahib, Jama Masjid and Gauri Shankar temple – all located within a kilometre of one another – in Chandni Chowk, before he flies out.

Kerry, while speaking at IIT Delhi had a clear message, saying "We have to respect rights of all our citizens irrespective of creed and allow them to protest in peace without fear that they will be jailed". This comes in the backdrop of the sedition case that was filed against Amnesty International in Bengaluru for holding an event on Kashmir. The secretary of state was originally supposed to visit religious places ahead of official talks, but was rescheduled on the day or his departure a day after talks to avoid any prospect of the symbolism in his visits clouding the talks.

Since his landing in Delhi, downpour and water-logging first brought his cavalcade standstill on September 29 and then on Wednesday played spoil spot to his visit to old Delhi. For over two hours on Wednesday morning Delhi received torrential rainfall, resulting in serpentine traffic jams at various places.

During his last official engagement the meeting with the Prime Minister Modi, Kerry briefed him about the outcome of the 2nd India-US Strategic & Commercial Dialogue. He also shared US perspective on developments in the region and beyond. Sources said while the US secretary of state expressed concern at the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, he was told India's sincere efforts to bring peace in the region. On Tuesday as well, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj at length explained government efforts to buy peace with Islamabad. "When this government was formed, we invited Pakistan's prime minister to the oath-taking ceremony, even before the formation of the government. After that we took the initiative to re-start foreign secretary-level talks, but they did something which compelled us to cancel the talks.

"After that when I visited Islamabad, I returned with the decision of starting a Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue. Later our Prime Minister visited Lahore, but we got Pathankot after coming back," she said, adding that India's minimum expectation was that there should be some action on the Pathankot issue. "Terrorism and talks cannot go hand in hand and we have already told them. Hence, it is not a thing to worry, but yes we do have an expectation and talks will resume only after some action is taken on this issue," she was quoted as saying.
Kissinger's extended stay in Pak and secret China missive

In 1971, then US Secretary of State Dr Henry Kissinger in a similar circumstances extended his stay, while he was in Pakistan. It was reported that he fell sick and flew to tourist resort Murree to take rest. But years later it was revealed that he had undertaken a secret visit from Islamabad to Peking (Beijing) during July 9-11, 1971. Premier Chou Enlai specifically had mentioned to take a direct flight from Islamabad either on Pakistan's airline or on a special plane sent by China to Pakistan. His visit opened the dialogue with China. The mission remained secret because the Americans were not sure of its success. Pakistan also guaranteed its secrecy.

Several Chinese leaders arrived in Pakistan and were waiting on a PIA's plane for Kissinger's group. Under the plan, Dr Kissinger would arrive in Islamabad and after 24 hours stay, he would disappear in a place in Northern Areas. In fact, he would fly by a PIA Boeing to Peking. A high-level Pakistani official would accompany him to Peking.

On his return from Peking to Islamabad, he would resume his onward journey.

Source:-Dnaindia
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Hope US changes its relative neutrality policy with Pakistan: JD (U)

Hailing the joint statement of US Secretary of State John Kerry and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on the involvement of Pakistan in encouraging terrorism, the Janata Dal (United) on August 31 expressed hope that America changes its relative neutrality policy with Islamabad.

“I don’t know whether the assurances Kerry gave were equivalent to the emphasis with which the matter seems to have been made by Sushma Swaraj. I hope the United States changes its policy of relative neutrality as far as Pakistan is concerned, without understanding that terrorism is terrorism and is a danger to the world…be it India or the United States,” JD (U) leader Pawan Verma told ANI.

Expressing happiness that Swaraj spoke “bluntly” on the question of terrorism, Verma said this is a subject that India needs to discuss with the United States frankly and seek US intervention in leveraging and pressuring Pakistan to stop its support to terrorism.

Resonating similar sentiments, another JD (U) leader KC Tyagi also welcomed the joint statement.

“I welcome the joint statement of John Kerry and Sushma Swaraj. Through Kerry, I would like to request the US Government to be careful while helping Pakistan so that it does not fall into bad hands,” Tyagi told ANI.


The United States and India have agreed to boost counter-terrorism cooperation by expanding intelligence sharing about known or suspected extremists and terrorist threats.

Speaking after conclusion of the second US-India Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi with visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday said both countries also renewed their commitment to track down and prosecute perpetrators of several terrorist attacks on Indian soil, including the 2008 strike in Mumbai and a January 2016 attack on the Pathankot Air Force base. India has blamed Pakistan-linked groups for the attacks.

Swaraj said the two sides had agreed on the “urgent necessity for Pakistan to disable safe havens and terrorist networks” and “on the need to Pakistan to do more to bring the perpetrators of (the two attacks) to justice quickly.”

“We reaffirmed the urgent necessity for Pakistan to dismantle safe havens for terrorists and criminals networks, including LeT, JeM and the D-Company,” she said.

On his part, Kerry said, “The US continues to support all efforts to bring the perpetrators of 2008 Mumbai and 2016 Pathankot attacks to justice.”

Echoing the Indian foreign minister’s remark, Kerry also said that the US can’t and won’t make a distinction between good and bad terrorists.

“US stands with India on all matters of terrorism, no matter where it comes from; it’s crystal clear we are on the same view over it,” he said.

But he did say he had spoken recently with Pakistani officials about “the need for Pakistan to deprive any (terrorist) group of sanctuary.” He specifically named the Haqqani network that operates in Afghanistan as well as the Lashkar-e-Taiba, which has been blamed for attacks in India.

“It is vital that Pakistan join with other nations in tackling this challenge, and in fairness, in recent weeks and months they have been moving more authoritatively,” Kerry said.


Source:-indianexpress
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On terror & Pak, meeting of minds with US: Sushma Swaraj

challenge, and in fairness, in recent weeks and months, they have been moving much more authoritatively in the western part of their country on some groups and the Haqqani network,” he said.
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Addressing the press with Kerry who is in New Delhi for the second Indo-US strategic and commercial dialogue and will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday, Swaraj said: “I am happy to note that there was a meeting of minds on this issue (of terrorism). I briefed Secretary Kerry on the continuing problem of cross-border terrorism that India and the larger region face from Pakistan.”

“We both agreed that nations must not maintain double standards, such as the categorisation of good and bad terrorists, nor must they act as sanctuaries and safe havens for terrorist organisations. We reaffirmed the urgent necessity for Pakistan to dismantle safe havens for terrorists and criminal networks including Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and D Company,” she said.

Kerry said, “I have recently spoken to the (Pakistan) Prime Minister (Nawaz Sharif) and General Raheel Sharif regarding the need for Pakistan to deprive any group sanctuaries… It is well known that the Haqqani network and others operated out of the western part of the country. LeT, we all know and we all spoke out against, had an impact on India, directly.”

Asked about the escalating tension between India and Pakistan and if dialogue between the two sides would resume, Swaraj reiterated the Indian position that “terror and talks will not go hand in hand”.

She said India remains ready for talks with Pakistan but there are legitimate expectations that it will act against terror groups which have carried out attacks against India, including at Pathankot airbase. “And the talks can only resume if these expectations are met,” she said.

“Secretary Kerry and I also agreed on the need for Pakistan to do more to bring the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai and 2016 Pathankot terrorist attacks to justice quickly.”

Indo-US meet, John Kerry visit, Sushma Swaraj, Kerry-Swaraj meet, terrorism, Pakistan, India, US, Indo-US relations, India news

Kerry echoed her: “Let me be clear, the United States continues to support all efforts to bring perpetrators of Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to justice… We stand fully behind the Indian demand that there be justice… We have had conversation with all members of the region frankly about the efforts they need to take to curb terrorism that comes out of their countries. That is true of everybody. Anywhere in the world. I think it is crystal clear that US and India are exactly in similar mind with respect to the issue of terror and the need to not only prevent it but to bring those to justice who perpetrate it.”

The two countries also agreed to boost counter-terrorism cooperation by enhancing intelligence sharing, screening of terrorists, exchange of information on known or suspected terrorists.

They also agreed to continue to work closely to get terrorist entities listed by the UN system, by coordinating the approach to the UN 1267 Committee. This assumes significance in the light of Indian efforts to get Masood Azhar designated as an international terrorist — a move being blocked by Beijing on technical grounds.

India and the US also agreed to resume a three-way dialogue with Afghanistan next month on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The India-US-Afghanistan trilateral talks started in 2012, took place a second time in 2013 but were not held in 2014 and 2015.

Asked if close consultation with India on Afghanistan under the trilateral framework may result in Pakistan feeling isolated, Kerry said US appreciates India’s involvement in the war-torn country and “Pakistan will not feel isolated but encouraged” and work out a roadmap for itself in that country.

Swaraj thanked Kerry for his reiteration of continued US support to India’s bid for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and permanent membership of the UN Security Council. “We both agreed that India’s enhanced global role is in mutual interest,” she said.



Source:-indianexpress
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Judith D'Souza rescued from Afghanistan, to return home on Saturday, confirms Sushma Swaraj

The 40-year-old Indian woman, who was abducted in Afghanistan on 9 June, has reportedly been rescued. External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj announced the happy news on her Twitter account early on Saturday morning. She is expected to come home on Saturday night.

"I am happy to inform you that Judith D'Souza has been rescued. Judith was abducted in Kabul on 9th June 2016," she tweeted.

Swaraj also thanked Afghanistan for their help and support in rescuing Judith. She applauded India's ambassador to Afghan Manpreet Vohra for doing an "outstanding job".

Vohra in turn said "everyone concerned worked long and hard" to secure the release.

Judith's brother Jerome D'Souza too took to Twitter to thank the Indian government and the people for their wishes. He also announced that she will return home on Saturday evening.

    Thank you, my dear community. For your love and support at a most difficult time. Very grateful. Judith comes home tonite.

  

The motive of her abduction was deduced to be ransom and the Taliban had no hand in her kidnapping, as was suspected by many. She was reportedly kept in the Shomali plains, close to the house of the two men in custody.

The Hindu quoted Judith's brother Jerome as saying, "I am grateful to the Government of India and particularly to the tireless efforts of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

The Indian authorities were constantly in touch with the Afghan government to secure Judith's release. The authorities were also in touch with her family.

Judith was working as a senior technical advisor for an NGO Aga Khan Development Network in Kabul. After she went "missing" on 9 June, Judith's father received a call from the Indian Embassy in Kabul informing him that his daughter has “in all probability been abducted," Firstpost had reported.

He was informed that three persons – Judith, a security guard and the driver of the vehicle, were abducted. However, The Hindu reported that the two men were let off because they were Afghan and Judith was asked if she was a "foreigner". However, her abduction made the police suspicious and the two men, who were released were taken into custody. Interrogating the men revealed significant details about the abduction and Judith's whereabouts.



Judith's family and well wishers had launched a campaign on Twitter to bring her back. #rescuejudith was trending and people were doing their best to support the family and help with the rescue operation.

Since her abduction, Judith's family has written and appealed a number of times to the Indian government. They have always received a positive response from the government. They were always hopeful of her return.
Source:-firstpost
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