Warmth in ties between Narendra Modi and Pakistan PM is unprecedented: Sushma Swaraj
External Affairs Minister says we won't get trapped in this warmth.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Sunday that the warmth in personal ties between the Indian and Pakistan prime ministers was "unprecedented." Speaking at the ministry's annual press conference in the capital, Swaraj also said that India would not oppose any nation – including Pakistan's – bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group, but wanted membership to be based on merit.
Sushma Swaraj: There is a warmth in the relationship between the prime ministers of India and Pakistan. Our policy is 3-fold: Resolve issue
— Ramesh Ramachandran (@RRRameshRRR) June 19, 2016
But we won’t get trapped in this warmth and lower our guards,But, as I said, to resolve issues,we have to establish relations:@SushmaSwaraj
— Devirupa Mitra (@DevirupaM) June 19, 2016
The external affairs minister said that there had been a big difference in Pakistan's attitude after the Pathankot attacks, when cross-border terrorists attacked an Indian Air Force base in Punjab killing one civilian and seven security personnel. She also said that talks between the foreign secretaries of the countries have not been suspended and that there is still "the expectation of a sincere inquiry" into the Pathankot attacks from the Pakistan side.
Hopeful. We'll able to convince China as well, I'm myself in contact with 23 nations,1 or 2 raised concern but think consensus is there: EAM
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 19, 2016
On the NSG issue, Swaraj said that she has herself spoken to 23 countries and can see a consensus forming on India's bid to join the group, which would improve India's access to nuclear technology and fuel.
The Narendra Modi government has made this a key part of its diplomatic efforts of late, with the Prime Minister travelling to various NSG nations in a bid to get them to support India. Swaraj said that the reason for treating NSG membership so seriously was a direct fallout from India's commitment to renewable energy, much of which will depend on nuclear power.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar secretly visited China last week in an effort to convince the last major country that is holding out against India's potential membership, although a few smaller nations also have reservations.
Swaraj said on Sunday that China does not oppose India's bid to join, but simply wants the membership to be based on certain criteria. She added that since India is not part of the group, it cannot and would not oppose any other country's bid to join, but that New Delhi wants merit-based membership.
She added that New Delhi is hoping India will be a member of the group before the end of the year. The NSG is set to meet next on June 23, and is expected to consider membership bids from both India and Pakistan.