Sushma Swaraj speaks

India’s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj delivered a measured speech at the United Nations General Assembly. She said that Narendra Modi’s government had started by being very accommodating to Pakistan. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had been invited to New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pressed for secretary-level dialogue on all issues. But then came a series of terrorist attacks on Kashmir which stymied the dialogue process. Violence in Kashmir mounted with infiltration across the LoC. Terrorism is sponsored by a number of nation-states. That is supposed to promote their national interest.But it undermines economic growth and goes against efforts to reduce poverty.India proposed the Comprehensive Convention of International Terrorism in 1996 but the Convention has been deadlocked since.Sushma Swaraj knows that it would be difficult to turn logic into diplomacy.Bangladesh and Afghanistan are perhaps on India’s side.But other countries do not wish to antagonise Pakistan.The US has lately been impatient with Pakistan’s attitude, especially its military exercise with Russia. But it has been always vacillating in going against Islamabad.The UK looks upon Pakistan as a counter-terrorism ally.China is consistently pro Pakistan and anti India as was proved by its opposition to New Delhi’s move to join the NSG.

Swaraj emphasised India’s commitment to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.It has ratified the Paris treaty to subscribe to the shared aims of the global community. India will soon hopefully find a place in the UN Security Council.It will soon cease to be a regional power and acquire greater diplomatic maneuverability.