Give up terrorism and let’s talk, India to Pakistan at UN
Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj says India is open to dialogue but 'talks and terror cannot go together'
Indian Foreign Minister Swashma Swaraj addresses the 70th UNGA session in New York on October 1, 2015. PHOTO: UN
India responded to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s four-point peace roadmap with just one point: "give up terrorism”.
“We do not need four points, we need just one -- give up terrorism and let us sit down and talk,” said Indian Foreign Miniser Sushma Swaraj, while addressing the 70th session of UN General Assembly in New York.
The Indian foreign minister further said India remained open to dialogue but “talks and terror cannot go together.”
“Let us hold talks at the level of NSAs on all issues connected to terrorism and an early meeting of our Directors General of Military Operations to address the situation on the border,” said Swaraj.
Read: Nawaz offers four-point peace roadmap to India
If the response is serious and credible, India is prepared to address all outstanding issues through a bilateral dialogue, she added.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Nawaz proposed Pakistan and India formalise and respect the 2003 understanding for a complete ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir to be monitored by an expanded UN Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).
“We propose Pakistan and India reaffirm that they will not resort to the use or the threat of use of force under any circumstances. This is a central element of the UN Charter; [That] steps be taken to demilitarise Kashmir; [and that both countries] agree to an unconditional mutual withdrawal from Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battleground,” he had said.
“We do not need four points, we need just one -- give up terrorism and let us sit down and talk,” said Indian Foreign Miniser Sushma Swaraj, while addressing the 70th session of UN General Assembly in New York.
The Indian foreign minister further said India remained open to dialogue but “talks and terror cannot go together.”
“Let us hold talks at the level of NSAs on all issues connected to terrorism and an early meeting of our Directors General of Military Operations to address the situation on the border,” said Swaraj.
Read: Nawaz offers four-point peace roadmap to India
If the response is serious and credible, India is prepared to address all outstanding issues through a bilateral dialogue, she added.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Nawaz proposed Pakistan and India formalise and respect the 2003 understanding for a complete ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir to be monitored by an expanded UN Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).
“We propose Pakistan and India reaffirm that they will not resort to the use or the threat of use of force under any circumstances. This is a central element of the UN Charter; [That] steps be taken to demilitarise Kashmir; [and that both countries] agree to an unconditional mutual withdrawal from Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battleground,” he had said.