Sushma Swaraj briefs Indian lawmakers on Pakistan visit

Indian foreign minister says both countries will engage in 'comprehensive' dialogue on all issues, including Kashmir

Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on Monday apprised the Indian parliament of the developments made during her two-day visit to Islamabad last week.

Swaraj informed the Indian lawmakers that the Indian government raised the issue of 26/11 Mumbai attacks and asked the Pakistani government to expedite the probe against alleged perpetrators.

“We raised the issue of Mumbai 26/11 attacks probe and asked Pakistan to expedite the trial process,” The Times of India quoted her as saying on the floor of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian parliament.



Further, the Indian foreign minister said Pakistan and India will engage in a “comprehensive” dialogue on all issues, including peace, security and Kashmir. “Kashmir is most affected by terrorism,” she said, adding the security of her country was among the top priorities of the Indian government.

Later, the session of the parliament was adjourned after India’s main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, started a protest over local issues, including the alleged corruption of the ruling Bharatia Janata Party’s three chief ministers.

Earlier, during her visit to Islamabad for the Heart of Asia Conference, Sushma had told newsmen that India and Pakistan have decided to restart composite dialogue. Addressing a brief news conference in Islamabad, Swaraj said the conditions will be set by the respective foreign secretaries.

A joint statement said all issues, including Kashmir, Sir Creek, terrorism and anti-narcotic efforts, will be discussed in the comprehensive dialogue.



“Both sides, accordingly, agreed to a comprehensive bilateral dialogue and directed the foreign secretaries to work out the modalities and schedule of the meetings under the dialogue including peace and security, CBMs, Jammu & Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project, economic and commercial Cooperation, counterterrorism, narcotics control and humanitarian issues, people to people exchanges and religious tourism,” the statement said.