The foreign minister was addressing the United Nations general assembly on Monday and essentially responding to Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharf's call to the international community for a “serious and sustained dialogue” for the peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, especially Kashmir.
Sharif had also sought an independent inquiry and a UN fact-finding mission into “rights violations” in J&K.
Swaraj's address assumes significance in the light of the terror attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri, by fidayeen militants from Pakistan.
Highlights of Swaraj’s speech:
Those living in glass houses should not throw stones
If Pakistan thinks it can snatch a piece of India by issuing such inflammatory remarks, it will never be successful, as Kashmir has always been an integral part of India.
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Extremist ideologies can only yield a bitter harvest.
(Referring to Pakistan) There are nations that still speak the language of terrorism, feeding it, marketing extremist ideology, and exporting terror. Shelter terrorists has become their calling card. We must identify these nations and hold them responsible. These nations, in which UN designated terrorists roam freely, lead processions and deliver their poisonous sermons of hate with impunity, are as culpable as the very terrorists they harbour. Such countries should have no place in the comity of nations.
Any nation that doesn’t want to fight terrorism should be isolated.
We need to identify who gives shelter to the terrorists. How are they able to carry out such activities?. We need to uproot terrorism.
Terrorism is the biggest violation of human rights, a crime against humanity itself. But we must ask - who benefits?.
Sanitation is also a big issue, and we have started ‘Swacch Bharat Abhiyan’ under which four lakh toilets are built in two lakh schools.
Jan Dhan Yojana is the world’s largest financial inclusion programme.
We must remember that we will be defined not just by our actions, but equally, by our inaction.
Today, the biggest challenge all of us face is the poverty prevalent in all corners of the world.
A year has passed since I stood at this hallowed podium to address members of the international community,so much has changed since then.
EAM addressed most critical issue of #terrorism at #UNGA .Wont b able to win against terrorism by making distinctions b/w ur problems & mine pic.twitter.com/zAaRfdYne2
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) September 26, 2016