<p>India has had an uneasy relationship with&nbsp;the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), but Tunisian foreign minister Khemaies Jhinaoui&rsquo;s latest statement might soon change that.</p>

<p>Unlike other OIC members like Turkey,&nbsp;which advocates multilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir,&nbsp;Tunisia says the issue is best resolved bilaterally.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We would like to see India and Pakistan sit together and amicably&nbsp;solve through negotiation. We don&#39;t like to interfere in the domestic affairs of both countries,&rdquo; Jhinaoui told exclusively to WION.</p>

<p>Tunisia is a member of the 57-nation OIC, so the minister&#39;s statement would&nbsp;come as a shot in the arm for India.</p>

<p>In July, the OIC had adopted a resolution during a foreign ministers&rsquo; meeting in West African city of Abidjan that the unresolved Kashmir issue was posing a threat to the peace and security of the region.</p>

<p>The Indian government&nbsp;had reacted strongly to that resolution.&nbsp;&ldquo;India notes with utmost regret...&nbsp;factually incorrect and misleading references to matters internal to India, including the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India.&nbsp;India out rightly rejects all such references.&nbsp;The OIC has no locus standi on India&rsquo;s internal affairs.&nbsp;We strongly advise the OIC to refrain from making such references in future,&rdquo; the Ministry of External Affiars said in a rejoinder.</p>

<p>Tunisia&#39;s stand is in contrast to Turkey&#39;s. In an interview to WION earlier, Turkey&rsquo;s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had favoured a multilateral dialogue to resolve the&nbsp;Kashmir issue.</p>

<p>He&nbsp;had hinted at mediation by Turkey too.</p>

<p>But&nbsp;India has consistently called for&nbsp;a comprehensive bilateral dialogue with Pakistan, insisting that&nbsp;there is no room for&nbsp;a third-party role. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has said that talks and terror cannot go hand in hand.</p>

<p>Jhinaoui, who met Swaraj on Monday, too echoed similar sentiments. &ldquo;We discussed possibility of... together fighting&nbsp;terrorism, which is a common threat to humanity... we&nbsp;decided to have more contacts for exchange of information and to have the right tools to fight terror,&rdquo; Jhinaoui said about the meeting.</p>

<p>He also said Tunisia is proof that&nbsp;Islam is&nbsp;not antithetical to democracy and that should interest&nbsp;Pakistan.</p>


India has had an uneasy relationship with?the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), but Tunisian foreign minister Khemaies Jhinaoui?s latest statement might soon change that.

India has had an uneasy relationship with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), but Tunisian foreign minister Khemaies Jhinaoui’s latest statement might soon change that. Unlike other OIC members like Turkey, which advocates multilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir, Tunisia says the issue is best resolved bilaterally. “We would like to see India and Pakistan sit together and amicably solve through negotiation. We don't like to interfere in the domestic affairs of both countries,” Jhinaoui told exclusively to WION. Tunisia is a member of the 57-nation OIC, so the minister's statement would come as a shot in the arm for India. In July, the OIC had adopted a resolution during a foreign ministers’ meeting in West African city of Abidjan that the unresolved Kashmir issue was posing a threat to the peace and security of the region. The Indian government had reacted strongly to that resolution. “India notes with utmost regret... factually incorrect and misleading references to matters internal to India, including the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India. India out rightly rejects all such references. The OIC has no locus standi on India’s internal affairs. We strongly advise the OIC to refrain from making such references in future,” the Ministry of External Affiars said in a rejoinder. Tunisia's stand is in contrast to Turkey's. In an interview to WION earlier, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had favoured a multilateral dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue. He had hinted at mediation by Turkey too. But India has consistently called for a comprehensive bilateral dialogue with Pakistan, insisting that there is no room for a third-party role. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has said that talks and terror cannot go hand in hand. Jhinaoui, who met Swaraj on Monday, too echoed similar sentiments. “We discussed possibility of... together fighting terrorism, which is a common threat to humanity... we decided to have more contacts for exchange of information and to have the right tools to fight terror,” Jhinaoui said about the meeting. He also said Tunisia is proof that Islam is not antithetical to democracy and that should interest Pakistan.

India and Pakistan should amicably solve Kashmir issue: Tunisia

<p>External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj today inaugurated a new chancery complex of the Indian High Commission in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sushma-swaraj-arrives-in-bangladesh-on-2-day-visit-22725" target="_blank">Dhaka on the last day of her Bangladesh visit.</a>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Emphasising the deep bilateral ties between the two countries, Ms Swaraj said, &quot;Bangladesh comes first in India&#39;s Neighbour First policy.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;There exist a couple of issues which are yet unresolved between us (India-Afghanistan), but we assure that both are attempting to solve them with honesty,&quot; she added.</p>

<p>Swaraj said at the function that the relations between the neighbours are now outstanding and that both countries are working to resolve these irritants in the spirit of &quot;friendly and with right intention&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She assured that both the countries will solve all irritants with sincerity. Sushma Swaraj also referred to the peaceful solution of the land as well as maritime boundary issues.???????</p>

<p>She also inaugurated 15 development projects in Bangladesh which are being funded by the government of India.</p>

<p>The external affairs&nbsp;minister lit a candle to mark the opening of a new complex of the High Commission at Dhaka&#39;s Baridhara diplomatic enclave which was previously being operated from a house in Gulshan area of the city.</p>

<p>Bangladesh foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali, Health Minister Mohammed Nasim, Bangladesh&#39;s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina&#39;s political affairs advisor H T Imam were also present at the ceremony along with Indian High Commissioner in &nbsp;Dhaka Harsh Vardhan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Swaraj is on her two-day-visit to Bangladesh, the second visit after 2014, which she will wrap up today.&nbsp;</p>


Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj today inaugurated a new chancery complex at Dhaka's Baridhara diplomatic enclave which was earlier being operated from a house in Gulshan area of the city

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj today inaugurated a new chancery complex of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on the last day of her Bangladesh visit. Emphasising the deep bilateral ties between the two countries, Ms Swaraj said, "Bangladesh comes first in India's Neighbour First policy." "There exist a couple of issues which are yet unresolved between us (India-Afghanistan), but we assure that both are attempting to solve them with honesty," she added. Swaraj said at the function that the relations between the neighbours are now outstanding and that both countries are working to resolve these irritants in the spirit of "friendly and with right intention". She assured that both the countries will solve all irritants with sincerity. Sushma Swaraj also referred to the peaceful solution of the land as well as maritime boundary issues.??????? She also inaugurated 15 development projects in Bangladesh which are being funded by the government of India. The external affairs minister lit a candle to mark the opening of a new complex of the High Commission at Dhaka's Baridhara diplomatic enclave which was previously being operated from a house in Gulshan area of the city. Bangladesh foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali, Health Minister Mohammed Nasim, Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's political affairs advisor H T Imam were also present at the ceremony along with Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan. Swaraj is on her two-day-visit to Bangladesh, the second visit after 2014, which she will wrap up today.

Bangladesh comes first in India's Neighbour First policy: Sushma Swaraj in Dhaka

<p>External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj discussed&nbsp;the issue of Rohingya exodus in her meeting with&nbsp;Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday.</p>

<p>Sushma Swaraj discussed the situation arising&nbsp;out of the&nbsp;influx of&nbsp;displacement of the Muslim minority population and&nbsp;the&nbsp;need for an early&nbsp;solution to it.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">EAM Sushma Swaraj discussed situation arising out of influx of displaced persons from Rakhine State &amp; need for early &amp; lasting solution: MEA</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922090983042334722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>She also discussed ways to deepen her partnership with the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She praised PM Sheikh Hasina&#39;s of productive discussions at the Bangladesh-India Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting&nbsp;and also the progress made by her since her visit to India.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">EAM Sushma Swaraj apprised PM Sheikh Hasina of productive discussions at the JCC and tangible progress made since her visit to India: MEA <a href="https://t.co/LrW55JBOXD">pic.twitter.com/LrW55JBOXD</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922090774052741120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Swaraj met with the prime minister&nbsp;after her meeting with the country&#39;s foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali.</p>

<p>In the fourth JCC&nbsp;meeting, she discussed the exodus of Rohingyas in Rakhine, the challenges of terrorism, radicalisation and extremism with her counterpart.</p>

<p>The external affairs minister expressed her concern at the violence against the Rohingyas in Rakhine.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;&quot;India is deeply concerned at the spate of violence in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. We have urged that the situation be handled with restraint, keeping in mind the welfare of the population,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>On terrorism, the external affairs minister said, &quot;We will continue to fight this scourge together and along with other like-minded&nbsp;countries.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We will continue to fight this scourge together and along with other like minded countries: EAM Sushma Swaraj in Dhaka, Bangladesh</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922066434573737984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Sushma Swaraj added that she was determined to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against the ideologies of hate, violence, and terror.</p>

<p>She also focused on a comprehensive approach to fighting&nbsp;violent extremism and terrorism.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are determined to protect our societies from threat of ideologies of hate, violence and terror by adopting a zero tolerance policy: EAM</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922067177166987266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">(cont) and a comprehensive approach in fighting violent extremism and terrorism at all levels: EAM Sushma Swaraj in Dhaka, Bangladesh <a href="https://t.co/W6eROF6f2W">pic.twitter.com/W6eROF6f2W</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922067232724676608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>She also assured that besides the bilateral relationship she is also working towards resolving&nbsp;outstanding issues.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sushma Swaraj is on a two-day visit to Bangladesh.</p>

<p>She was earlier welcomed by the Bangladesh foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali and High commissioner of India.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">EAM Sushma Swaraj arrived in Dhaka, greeted by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bangladesh</a> Foreign Min AH Mahmood Ali &amp; High Commissioner Of India (Earlier visuals) <a href="https://t.co/G2EAKknJHe">pic.twitter.com/G2EAKknJHe</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922053831180951553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dhaka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dhaka</a>: EAM Sushma Swaraj &amp; FM of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bangladesh</a> co-chaired 4th JCC Meeting &amp; reviewed various aspects of bilateral relations. <a href="https://t.co/NVckYBjAVZ">pic.twitter.com/NVckYBjAVZ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/922054430249201664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The third JCC meeting was held in New Delhi in 2014.</p>

<p>This is Swaraj&#39;s second visit to Bangladesh.Earlier&nbsp;she visited the country in 2014.&nbsp;</p>


External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj discussed?the issue of Rohingya displacement in her meeting with?Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj discussed the issue of Rohingya exodus in her meeting with Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday. Sushma Swaraj discussed the situation arising out of the influx of displacement of the Muslim minority population and the need for an early solution to it. EAM Sushma Swaraj discussed situation arising out of influx of displaced persons from Rakhine State & need for early & lasting solution: MEA — ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2017 × She also discussed ways to deepen her partnership with the country. She praised PM Sheikh Hasina's of productive discussions at the Bangladesh-India Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting and also the progress made by her since her visit to India. EAM Sushma Swaraj apprised PM Sheikh Hasina of productive discussions at the JCC and tangible progress made since her visit to India: MEA pic.twitter.com/LrW55JBOXD — ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2017 × Swaraj met with the prime minister after her meeting with the country's foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali. In the fourth JCC meeting, she discussed the exodus of Rohingyas in Rakhine, the challenges of terrorism, radicalisation and extremism with her counterpart. The external affairs minister expressed her concern at the violence against the Rohingyas in Rakhine. "India is deeply concerned at the spate of violence in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. We have urged that the situation be handled with restraint, keeping in mind the welfare of the population," she said. On terrorism, the external affairs minister said, "We will continue to fight this scourge together and along with other like-minded countries." We will continue to fight this scourge together and along with other like minded countries: EAM Sushma Swaraj in Dhaka, Bangladesh — ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2017 × Sushma Swaraj added that she was determined to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against the ideologies of hate, violence, and terror. She also focused on a comprehensive approach to fighting violent extremism and terrorism. We are determined to protect our societies from threat of ideologies of hate, violence and terror by adopting a zero tolerance policy: EAM — ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2017 × (cont) and a comprehensive approach in fighting violent extremism and terrorism at all levels: EAM Sushma Swaraj in Dhaka, Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/W6eROF6f2W — ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2017 × She also assured that besides the bilateral relationship she is also working towards resolving outstanding issues. Sushma Swaraj is on a two-day visit to Bangladesh. She was earlier welcomed by the Bangladesh foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali and High commissioner of India. EAM Sushma Swaraj arrived in Dhaka, greeted by #Bangladesh Foreign Min AH Mahmood Ali & High Commissioner Of India (Earlier visuals) pic.twitter.com/G2EAKknJHe — ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2017 × #Dhaka: EAM Sushma Swaraj & FM of #Bangladesh co-chaired 4th JCC Meeting & reviewed various aspects of bilateral relations. pic.twitter.com/NVckYBjAVZ — ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2017 × The third JCC meeting was held in New Delhi in 2014. This is Swaraj's second visit to Bangladesh.Earlier she visited the country in 2014.

'Normalcy will only be restored with return of displaced people to Rakhine': Sushma Swaraj

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday responded to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi&#39;s remarks that the BJP was anti-women.</p>

<p>At a rally in Ahmedabad, the external affairs minister said that the so-called anti-women party had&nbsp;given four women chief ministers and four women governors to the country.</p>

<p>She also highlighted that there were six women who were cabinet ministers in the BJP-led government at the centre and that two of the four members of the&nbsp;Cabinet Committee on Security were also women.</p>

<p>&quot;Rivals call BJP anti-women party but it gave four women chief ministers and four women governors to the country. Also, there are six women cabinet ministers under the BJP Government.&quot;</p>

<p>She added, &quot;I was made the EAM in May 2014 and now Nirmala Sitharaman is the Defence Minister. Two out of four Cabinet Committee on Security members are women now.&quot;</p>

<p>The external affairs minister was interacting with over one lakh women in Ahmedabad, capital of poll-bound Gujarat.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Along with 1200 Women, participated in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MahilaTownHallWithSushmaji?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MahilaTownHallWithSushmaji</a> via Video Link in Surat. <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SushmaSwaraj</a> <a href="https://t.co/uecr1bvyBm">pic.twitter.com/uecr1bvyBm</a></p>
&mdash; Darshana Jardosh (@DarshanaJardosh) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarshanaJardosh/status/919185528645234688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Twitter was quick to praise the external affairs minister and #MahilaTownHallWithSushmaji became one of the top trend on the social networking site soon after her speech.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I salute Women of Gujarat cause women of Gujarat are hard working, they are involved in economical activities <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MahilaTownHallWithSushmaji?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MahilaTownHallWithSushmaji</a></p>
&mdash; ?????? ????? (@nanditathhakur) <a href="https://twitter.com/nanditathhakur/status/919144283419975681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MahilaTownHallWithSushmaji?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MahilaTownHallWithSushmaji</a> I sometimes? compare susmaji to modiji and wonder how I would have been if susmaji would have been our PM</p>
&mdash; Arif H B???????? (@HadiBatcha) <a href="https://twitter.com/HadiBatcha/status/919140024947322880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">There are 6 women minister&#39;s .....<br />
This is women empowerment <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MahilaTownHallWithSushmaji?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MahilaTownHallWithSushmaji</a></p>
&mdash; Azadveloor (@azadveloor) <a href="https://twitter.com/azadveloor/status/919192508625649664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rahul Gandhi, during a rally in Gujarat, targeted the BJP and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Rashtriya%20Swayamsevak%20Sangh%20(RSS)">Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)</a>&nbsp;and accused them of neglecting women and said that it wasn&#39;t interested in women&#39;s rights.</p>

<p>&quot;How many women are in the RSS? Have you ever seen women in shorts working with RSS? I have never seen. You see women in the Congress all the time. In the RSS you will never see women,&quot; said Gandhi.</p>

<p>At Saturday&#39;s rally, Sushma Swaraj added that the remarks did not suit the leader of his stature.</p>


The external affairs minister was interacting with over one lakh women in Ahmedabad, capital of poll-bound Gujarat.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday responded to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's remarks that the BJP was anti-women. At a rally in Ahmedabad, the external affairs minister said that the so-called anti-women party had given four women chief ministers and four women governors to the country. She also highlighted that there were six women who were cabinet ministers in the BJP-led government at the centre and that two of the four members of the Cabinet Committee on Security were also women. "Rivals call BJP anti-women party but it gave four women chief ministers and four women governors to the country. Also, there are six women cabinet ministers under the BJP Government." She added, "I was made the EAM in May 2014 and now Nirmala Sitharaman is the Defence Minister. Two out of four Cabinet Committee on Security members are women now." The external affairs minister was interacting with over one lakh women in Ahmedabad, capital of poll-bound Gujarat. Along with 1200 Women, participated in #MahilaTownHallWithSushmaji via Video Link in Surat. @SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/uecr1bvyBm — Darshana Jardosh (@DarshanaJardosh) October 14, 2017 × Twitter was quick to praise the external affairs minister and #MahilaTownHallWithSushmaji became one of the top trend on the social networking site soon after her speech. I salute Women of Gujarat cause women of Gujarat are hard working, they are involved in economical activities #MahilaTownHallWithSushmaji — ?????? ????? (@nanditathhakur) October 14, 2017 × #MahilaTownHallWithSushmaji I sometimes? compare susmaji to modiji and wonder how I would have been if susmaji would have been our PM — Arif H B???????? (@HadiBatcha) October 14, 2017 × There are 6 women minister's ..... This is women empowerment #MahilaTownHallWithSushmaji — Azadveloor (@azadveloor) October 14, 2017 × Rahul Gandhi, during a rally in Gujarat, targeted the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and accused them of neglecting women and said that it wasn't interested in women's rights. "How many women are in the RSS? Have you ever seen women in shorts working with RSS? I have never seen. You see women in the Congress all the time. In the RSS you will never see women," said Gandhi. At Saturday's rally, Sushma Swaraj added that the remarks did not suit the leader of his stature.

Six women ministers in Cabinet: Sushma Swaraj to Rahul Gandhi

<p>The death sentence of 15 Indians, incarcerated in Kuwaiti jails, have been commuted to life imprisonment by the emir of Kuwait, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said Saturday.</p>

<p>Swaraj said the emir had also ordered that the sentences of 119 Indian nationals be reduced.</p>

<p>The minister thanked the emir of Kuwait for his &quot;kind&quot; gesture.</p>

<p>In a series of tweets, she said &quot;the Emir of Kuwait has been pleased to commute the sentence of 15 Indian nationals from death to life imprisonment&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">HH the Emir of Kuwait has been pleased to commute the sentence of 15 Indian nationals from death to life imprisonment. /1</p>
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/914044605443670016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">HH the Emir has further directed the reduction in sentence of 119 Indian nationals. /2</p>
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/914044707377889280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are grateful to the Emir of Kuwait for this kind gesture./3</p>
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/914044768941785089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Indian mission in Kuwait will provide all possible assistance to the Indian nationals being released from the prison, she tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Indian mission in Kuwait will provide all possible assistance to the Indian nationals being released from the prison. /4</p>
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/914044829461385218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>However, it was not clear that under what charges these Indians were put behind bars.&nbsp;</p>


External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said the emir of Kuwait had also ordered that the sentences of 119 Indian nationals be reduced

The death sentence of 15 Indians, incarcerated in Kuwaiti jails, have been commuted to life imprisonment by the emir of Kuwait, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said Saturday. Swaraj said the emir had also ordered that the sentences of 119 Indian nationals be reduced. The minister thanked the emir of Kuwait for his "kind" gesture. In a series of tweets, she said "the Emir of Kuwait has been pleased to commute the sentence of 15 Indian nationals from death to life imprisonment". HH the Emir of Kuwait has been pleased to commute the sentence of 15 Indian nationals from death to life imprisonment. /1 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) September 30, 2017 × HH the Emir has further directed the reduction in sentence of 119 Indian nationals. /2 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) September 30, 2017 × We are grateful to the Emir of Kuwait for this kind gesture./3 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) September 30, 2017 × Indian mission in Kuwait will provide all possible assistance to the Indian nationals being released from the prison, she tweeted. Indian mission in Kuwait will provide all possible assistance to the Indian nationals being released from the prison. /4 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) September 30, 2017 × However, it was not clear that under what charges these Indians were put behind bars.

Death sentences of 15 Indians commuted to life terms in Kuwait: Swaraj

<p>Terming as &quot;arrogant&quot; <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-india-pakistan-conflict-again-call-off-saarc-summit-20557" target="_blank">External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj&#39;s scathing attack on Islamabad </a>at the UN for being the pre-eminent&nbsp;terror factory, a state-run Chinese daily on Tuesday in a grudging admission said, &quot;there is indeed terrorism in Pakistan&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;India and Pakistan became free within hours of each other. Why is it that today India is a recognised IT superpower in the world, and Pakistan is&nbsp;recognised only as the pre-eminent export factory for terror?&quot;, Swaraj said in her speech at the UN General Assembly.</p>

<p>(Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-scientific-and-technical-superpower-pakistan-export-factory-for-terror-sushma-swaraj-at-un-20563" target="_blank">India scientific and technical superpower, Pakistan export factory for terror: Sushma Swaraj at UN</a>)</p>

<p>&quot;We established scientific and technical institutions which are the pride of the world. But what has Pakistan offered to the world and indeed to its own&nbsp;people apart from terrorism? We produced scholars, doctors, engineers. What have you produced? You have produced terrorists&quot;, she said referring to&nbsp;terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish- e-Muhammad.</p>

<p>Her speech riled all-weather friend of China. The official media of China termed it as &quot;bigotry&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;There is indeed terrorism in Pakistan. But is supporting terror the country&#39;s national policy? What can Pakistan gain from exporting terrorism? Money&nbsp;or honour,&quot; said an editorial in the state-run daily Global Times.</p>

<p>&quot;With smooth development of its economy and foreign relations in recent years, an arrogant India has looked down on Pakistan and assumed a haughty&nbsp;air with China,&quot; said the editorial titled &#39;India&#39;s bigotry no match for its ambition&#39;.</p>

<p>It takes for granted that it should be feared by neighbours and wooed by the US and Europe. If smart enough, India should befriend China and respect&nbsp;Pakistan, preventing disputes from spilling over, it said.</p>

<p>&quot;She was also deemed by Indian media as having taken a veiled dig at China for blocking international efforts to blacklist Jaish-e-Mohammad chief&nbsp;Masood Azhar,&quot; the report said apparently referring to Beijing&#39;s blocking of India&#39;s efforts to declare Azhar as a terrorist by the UN.</p>

<p>The editorial also made references to the 73-day standoff between India and China at Doklam in the Sikkim section which ended on August 28.</p>

<p>&quot;India also seems to assess China&#39;s strategic hostility with its own logic. China&#39;s sound relations with Pakistan are to counter India. China&#39;s road&nbsp;construction in Doklam is to threaten the security of its Siliguri Corridor and China&#39;s Belt and Road initiative operates programmes with Pakistan and&nbsp;other South Asian countries to encircle India. In any case, India&#39;s interests always reside at the epicenter of this logic,&quot; it said.</p>


Terming as 'arrogant' External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's scathing attack on Islamabad at the UN for being the pre-eminent?terror factory, a state-run Chinese daily in a grudging admission said, 'there is indeed terrorism in Pakistan'

Terming as "arrogant" External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's scathing attack on Islamabad at the UN for being the pre-eminent terror factory, a state-run Chinese daily on Tuesday in a grudging admission said, "there is indeed terrorism in Pakistan". "India and Pakistan became free within hours of each other. Why is it that today India is a recognised IT superpower in the world, and Pakistan is recognised only as the pre-eminent export factory for terror?", Swaraj said in her speech at the UN General Assembly. (Also Read: India scientific and technical superpower, Pakistan export factory for terror: Sushma Swaraj at UN) "We established scientific and technical institutions which are the pride of the world. But what has Pakistan offered to the world and indeed to its own people apart from terrorism? We produced scholars, doctors, engineers. What have you produced? You have produced terrorists", she said referring to terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish- e-Muhammad. Her speech riled all-weather friend of China. The official media of China termed it as "bigotry". "There is indeed terrorism in Pakistan. But is supporting terror the country's national policy? What can Pakistan gain from exporting terrorism? Money or honour," said an editorial in the state-run daily Global Times. "With smooth development of its economy and foreign relations in recent years, an arrogant India has looked down on Pakistan and assumed a haughty air with China," said the editorial titled 'India's bigotry no match for its ambition'. It takes for granted that it should be feared by neighbours and wooed by the US and Europe. If smart enough, India should befriend China and respect Pakistan, preventing disputes from spilling over, it said. "She was also deemed by Indian media as having taken a veiled dig at China for blocking international efforts to blacklist Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar," the report said apparently referring to Beijing's blocking of India's efforts to declare Azhar as a terrorist by the UN. The editorial also made references to the 73-day standoff between India and China at Doklam in the Sikkim section which ended on August 28. "India also seems to assess China's strategic hostility with its own logic. China's sound relations with Pakistan are to counter India. China's road construction in Doklam is to threaten the security of its Siliguri Corridor and China's Belt and Road initiative operates programmes with Pakistan and other South Asian countries to encircle India. In any case, India's interests always reside at the epicenter of this logic," it said.

Swaraj's UN speech arrogant but there is terrorism in Pakistan: Chinese media

<p>Indian diplomat Paulomi Tripathi Monday said Pakistan&#39;s<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-blooper-un-envoy-uses-injured-palestinians-pic-as-evidence-of-atrocities-in-kashmir-20575"> Ambassador to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi sought</a> to &quot;divert attention from Pakistan&#39;s role as a hub of global terrorism&quot;.</p>

<p>In her right to reply at the UN, the Indian diplomat said the &quot;permanent representative of Pakistan callously held picture of an injured girl which was actually a picture of Rawya abu Jom from Palestine&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;We are constrained to show a photo that reflects real picture of pain inflicted by nefarious designs of Pakistan on India,&quot;&nbsp;the Indian diplomat said.</p>

<p>&quot;This is a real picture, of Lt Ummer Fayaz, a young officer from J&amp;K. He was brutally tortured and killed by Pakistan supported terrorists,&quot;&nbsp;Paulomi Tripathi said while holding out the picture of the officer.</p>

<p>&quot;This is the reality that Permanent Representative&nbsp;of Pakistan (Maleeha Lodhi) sought to obfuscate,&quot; Paulomi Tripathi said.</p>

<p>&quot;Pakistan misled the assembly by displaying the picture to spread falsehoods about India. Fake picture to push a completely false narrative,&quot;&nbsp;she added.</p>

<p>On Sunday, Pakistan&#39;s Ambassador to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi in her right to reply to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj&#39;s speech at the UN showed pictures of Palestinian victims and said they were &quot;evidence&quot; of atrocities on Kashmiris.</p>

<p>Maleeha Lodhi waved dramatic pictures of a girl with pellet injuries on her face and added, &quot;this was the face of Indian democracy&quot;, while suggesting that Kashmiris had been injured by pellet guns.</p>

<p>However, upon closer inspection of the picture, Maleeha Lodhi&#39;s claim seemed to have boomeranged on her.</p>

<p>The picture used by Pakistan&#39;s Ambassador to the UN was reported by a number of media outlets as that of Rawia Abu Joma&#39;a, a 17-year-old girl injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza city in 2014.</p>

<p>Rawia&#39;s picture was taken by award-winning photographer Heidi Levine.</p>


Indian diplomat Paulomi Tripathi?today said Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi sought to "divert attention from Pakistan's role as a hub of global terrorism".

Indian diplomat Paulomi Tripathi Monday said Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi sought to "divert attention from Pakistan's role as a hub of global terrorism". In her right to reply at the UN, the Indian diplomat said the "permanent representative of Pakistan callously held picture of an injured girl which was actually a picture of Rawya abu Jom from Palestine". "We are constrained to show a photo that reflects real picture of pain inflicted by nefarious designs of Pakistan on India," the Indian diplomat said. "This is a real picture, of Lt Ummer Fayaz, a young officer from J&K. He was brutally tortured and killed by Pakistan supported terrorists," Paulomi Tripathi said while holding out the picture of the officer. "This is the reality that Permanent Representative of Pakistan (Maleeha Lodhi) sought to obfuscate," Paulomi Tripathi said. "Pakistan misled the assembly by displaying the picture to spread falsehoods about India. Fake picture to push a completely false narrative," she added. On Sunday, Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi in her right to reply to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's speech at the UN showed pictures of Palestinian victims and said they were "evidence" of atrocities on Kashmiris. Maleeha Lodhi waved dramatic pictures of a girl with pellet injuries on her face and added, "this was the face of Indian democracy", while suggesting that Kashmiris had been injured by pellet guns. However, upon closer inspection of the picture, Maleeha Lodhi's claim seemed to have boomeranged on her. The picture used by Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN was reported by a number of media outlets as that of Rawia Abu Joma'a, a 17-year-old girl injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza city in 2014. Rawia's picture was taken by award-winning photographer Heidi Levine.

Calling Pakistan's bluff, India brings up killing of Lt Ummer Fayaz at UN

<p>External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj&#39;s address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) invited a sarcastic &quot;thank you&quot; from Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.</p>

<p>On Sunday, Rahul Gandhi thanked the external affairs minister for &quot;finally&quot; recognising the Congress&nbsp;governments&#39; &quot;great vision and legacy of setting up IITs and IIMs.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sushma ji, thank you for finally recognising Congress governments&#39; great vision and legacy of setting up IITs and IIMs</p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/911785359985360896">September 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Congress leader Shashi Tharoor was more effusive in his praise, calling the external affairs minister&#39;s response &quot;fitting and strong.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;Sushma ji was quite justified in turning the tables, her response was fitting and strong,&quot; Shashi Tharoor told ANI.</p>

<p>The Congress leader added that he appreciated hearing a member of the BJP government &quot;acknowledging great accomplishments of last 60-70 years.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>In her speech at the 72nd UNGA session in New York, the external affairs minister had said that while&nbsp;India had established institutions like IITs, IIMs and AIIMS, Pakistan on the other hand had created&nbsp;terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Haqqani network.</p>

<p>The external affairs minister also drew a contrast between India which produced scholars, doctors and&nbsp;engineers and its Asian neighbour which produced terrorists.</p>

<p>Several BJP leaders&nbsp;including Indian prime minister Narendra Modi congratulated&nbsp;Sushma Swaraj for her befitting reply to Islamabad on the issue of the unrest in Kashmir.</p>

<p>PM Modi lauded her for making India &quot;extremely proud on the world stage&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Incredible speech by EAM <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj">@SushmaSwaraj</a> at the <a href="https://twitter.com/UN">@UN</a>! She has made India extremely proud at the world stage. <a href="https://t.co/nLI2CC2VBj">https://t.co/nLI2CC2VBj</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA?src=hash">#UNGA</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/911623946784706561">September 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">EAM <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj">@SushmaSwaraj</a> was insightful in identifying global challenges &amp; strongly reiterated India&#39;s commitment to create a better planet. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA?src=hash">#UNGA</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/911624136144900096">September 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A strong message was given by <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj">@SushmaSwaraj</a> Ji on the dangers of terrorism and why we have to unite and fight this menace. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA?src=hash">#UNGA</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/911624298015727616">September 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Home minister Rajnath Singh also tweeted his congratulations:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congratulations to Smt. <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj">@SushmaSwaraj</a> on her powerful, measured and nuanced articulation of India&rsquo;s stand on the issue of terrorism at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA?src=hash">#UNGA</a></p>
&mdash; Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/911627811068157952">September 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Her measured responses in spite of provocations speak volumes of her maturity &amp; tenacity. She has exposed Pakistan&rsquo;s duplicity on terrorism.</p>
&mdash; Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/911627998712946688">September 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I would like today to tell Pakistan&#39;s politicians just this much, that perhaps the wisest thing they&nbsp;could do is to look within. India and Pakistan became free within hours of each other. Why is it that&nbsp;today India is a recognised IT superpower in the world, and Pakistan is recognised only as the pre-eminent export factory for terror?,&quot; Ms&nbsp;Swaraj had said.</p>

<p>&quot;We established scientific and technical institutions which are the pride of the world. But what has&nbsp;Pakistan offered to the world and indeed to its own people apart from terrorism?&quot; she said, referring&nbsp;to the institutions such as IITs, IIMs and AIIMS.</p>

<p>&quot;We produced scientists, scholars, doctors, engineers.&nbsp;What have you produced? You have produced terrorists...you have created terrorist camps, you have&nbsp;created Lashkar-e- Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen and Haqqani network,&quot; she added.</p>


Rahul Gandhi thanked the external affairs minister for recognising the Congress?governments' 'great vision and legacy of setting up IITs and IIMs'

External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj's address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) invited a sarcastic "thank you" from Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. On Sunday, Rahul Gandhi thanked the external affairs minister for "finally" recognising the Congress governments' "great vision and legacy of setting up IITs and IIMs. Sushma ji, thank you for finally recognising Congress governments' great vision and legacy of setting up IITs and IIMs — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) September 24, 2017 × Congress leader Shashi Tharoor was more effusive in his praise, calling the external affairs minister's response "fitting and strong." "Sushma ji was quite justified in turning the tables, her response was fitting and strong," Shashi Tharoor told ANI. The Congress leader added that he appreciated hearing a member of the BJP government "acknowledging great accomplishments of last 60-70 years." In her speech at the 72nd UNGA session in New York, the external affairs minister had said that while India had established institutions like IITs, IIMs and AIIMS, Pakistan on the other hand had created terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Haqqani network. The external affairs minister also drew a contrast between India which produced scholars, doctors and engineers and its Asian neighbour which produced terrorists. Several BJP leaders including Indian prime minister Narendra Modi congratulated Sushma Swaraj for her befitting reply to Islamabad on the issue of the unrest in Kashmir. PM Modi lauded her for making India "extremely proud on the world stage". Incredible speech by EAM @SushmaSwaraj at the @UN! She has made India extremely proud at the world stage. https://t.co/nLI2CC2VBj #UNGA — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2017 × EAM @SushmaSwaraj was insightful in identifying global challenges & strongly reiterated India's commitment to create a better planet. #UNGA — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2017 × A strong message was given by @SushmaSwaraj Ji on the dangers of terrorism and why we have to unite and fight this menace. #UNGA — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2017 × Home minister Rajnath Singh also tweeted his congratulations: Congratulations to Smt. @SushmaSwaraj on her powerful, measured and nuanced articulation of India’s stand on the issue of terrorism at #UNGA — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 23, 2017 × Her measured responses in spite of provocations speak volumes of her maturity & tenacity. She has exposed Pakistan’s duplicity on terrorism. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 23, 2017 × "I would like today to tell Pakistan's politicians just this much, that perhaps the wisest thing they could do is to look within. India and Pakistan became free within hours of each other. Why is it that today India is a recognised IT superpower in the world, and Pakistan is recognised only as the pre-eminent export factory for terror?," Ms Swaraj had said. "We established scientific and technical institutions which are the pride of the world. But what has Pakistan offered to the world and indeed to its own people apart from terrorism?" she said, referring to the institutions such as IITs, IIMs and AIIMS. "We produced scientists, scholars, doctors, engineers. What have you produced? You have produced terrorists...you have created terrorist camps, you have created Lashkar-e- Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen and Haqqani network," she added.

Sushma Swaraj's UN speech and a 'thank you' from Rahul Gandhi

<p>Pakistan&#39;s Permanent Representative at the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi launched a tirade against the Indian state at the United Nations General Assembly after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-scientific-and-technical-superpower-pakistan-export-factory-for-terror-sushma-swaraj-at-un-20563">external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj&#39;s </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-scientific-and-technical-superpower-pakistan-export-factory-for-terror-sushma-swaraj-at-un-20563">hard-hitting</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-scientific-and-technical-superpower-pakistan-export-factory-for-terror-sushma-swaraj-at-un-20563"> speech </a>in which she called Pakistan an export factory for terror.</p>

<p>Maleeha Lodhi, instead, said India was the &quot;mother of terrorism&quot; in South Asia. He cited the &quot;confession&quot; of Indian former naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav who has been sentenced to death by a court in Pakistan on charges of spying.</p>

<p>Pakistan&#39;s Permanent Representative at the UN also said Kashmir was illegally occupied by India and India&#39;s refusal to implement the UN Security council resolutions in the state was deceptive and aggressive, the Dawn reported. The envoy also added that the human rights abuses committed by India in the state should be investigated.</p>

<p>Calling lndian prime minister Narendra Modi&#39;s ideology &quot;racist&quot; and &quot;fascist&quot;, the ambassador claimed his government&#39;s leadership was drawn from the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and said the organisation is accused of assassinating Mahatma Gandhi.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
She also slammed the choice of Yogi Adityanath as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, stating &quot;the government has appointed a fanatic&quot; to head the state.</p>

<p>In her speech at the 72nd UNGA session in New York, the external affairs minister had said that while&nbsp;India had established institutions like IITs, IIMs and AIIMS, Pakistan&nbsp;had created&nbsp;terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Haqqani network.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Pakistan's Permanent Representative at the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi launched a tirade against the Indian state at the United Nations General Assembly

Pakistan's Permanent Representative at the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi launched a tirade against the Indian state at the United Nations General Assembly after external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj's hard-hitting speech in which she called Pakistan an export factory for terror. Maleeha Lodhi, instead, said India was the "mother of terrorism" in South Asia. He cited the "confession" of Indian former naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav who has been sentenced to death by a court in Pakistan on charges of spying. Pakistan's Permanent Representative at the UN also said Kashmir was illegally occupied by India and India's refusal to implement the UN Security council resolutions in the state was deceptive and aggressive, the Dawn reported. The envoy also added that the human rights abuses committed by India in the state should be investigated. Calling lndian prime minister Narendra Modi's ideology "racist" and "fascist", the ambassador claimed his government's leadership was drawn from the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and said the organisation is accused of assassinating Mahatma Gandhi. She also slammed the choice of Yogi Adityanath as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, stating "the government has appointed a fanatic" to head the state. In her speech at the 72nd UNGA session in New York, the external affairs minister had said that while India had established institutions like IITs, IIMs and AIIMS, Pakistan had created terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Haqqani network.

Pakistan hits back after Sushma Swaraj's UN speech

<p>Hitting out at Pakistan for creating terror groups like LeT, JeM, Hizbul Mujahideen and the Haqqani Network, India today asked Pakistani leaders to introspect as to why their country is infamous as the &quot;pre-eminent export factory for terror&quot;.</p>

<p>In her address to the 72nd UN General Assembly session, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke on issues like terrorism, climate change, maritime and cyber security, UN Security Council reforms, poverty and unemployment.</p>

<p>In her hard-hitting speech, Swaraj accused Pakistan of waging a war against India and said a country that has been the world&#39;s greatest exporter of havoc, death and inhumanity became a champion of hypocrisy by preaching about humanity from this podium.&nbsp;(Also Read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-pakistan-has-to-say-about-sushma-swarajs-un-speech-20565">What Pakistan has to say about Sushma Swaraj&#39;s UN speech</a>)</p>

<p>She was referring to Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi&#39;s speech on Thursday wherein he accused India of violating human rights and state-sponsored terrorism.</p>

<p>&quot;I would like today to tell Pakistan&#39;s politicians just this much, that perhaps the wisest thing they could do is to look within. India and Pakistan became free within hours of each other. Why is it that today India is a recognised IT superpower in the world, and Pakistan is recognised only as the pre-eminent export factory for terror?&quot; Swaraj asked.</p>

<p>Watch:</p>

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<p>India had ripped into Pakistan yesterday, describing it as &quot;terroristan&quot; and a land of &quot;pure terror&quot; that hosts a flourishing industry to produce and export global terrorism.</p>

<p>Speaking in Hindi for the second consecutive year at the annual UNGA session, Swaraj said India has risen despite being the principal destination of Pakistan&#39;s nefarious export of terrorism.</p>

<p>&quot;We established scientific and technical institutions which are the pride of the world. But what has Pakistan offered to the world and indeed to its own people apart from terrorism?&quot; she said, referring to the institutions such as IITs, IIMs and AIIMS.</p>

<p>&quot;We produced scientists, scholars, doctors, engineers.</p>

<p>What have you produced? You have produced terrorists...you have created terrorist camps, you have created Lashkar-e- Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen and Haqqani network,&quot; she said, adding that doctors save people from death; terrorists send them to death.</p>

<p>Swaraj said that if Pakistan had spent on its development what it has spent on developing terror, both Pakistan and the world would be safer and better-off today.</p>

<p>The minister said the terrorist groups created by Pakistan is not only harming India, but also hurting its neighbours - Afghanistan and Bangladesh - as well.</p>

<p>She said that for the first time in the UN history, Pakistan sought right to reply (RoR) for one nation and then it had to simultaneously respond to three nations.</p>

<p>&quot;Doesn&#39;t it reflect your nefarious designs,&quot; she asked.</p>

<p>Referring to Prime Minister Abbasi&#39;s speech, Swaraj said that the Pakistani leader &quot;wasted&quot; too much of his time in making accusations against India.</p>

<p>&quot;Those listening had only one observation: &#39;Look who&#39;s talking!&#39; A country that has been the world&#39;s greatest exporter of havoc, death and inhumanity became a champion of hypocrisy by preaching about humanity from this podium,&quot; Swaraj said.</p>

<p>Commenting on Abbasi&#39;s claim that Pakistan&#39;s founder M A Jinnah had bequeathed a foreign policy based on peace and friendship, she said while it remains open to question whether Jinnah actually advocated such principles, what is beyond doubt is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered the hand of peace and friendship since he assumed office.</p>

<p>&quot;Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister must answer why his nation spurned this offer,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>Noting that Abbasi spoke of a &quot;Comprehensive Dialogue&quot; between the two countries, Swaraj reminded him that on December 9, 2015, when she was in Islamabad for the Heart of Asia conference, a decision was made by then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that dialogue between India and Pakistan should be renewed and named it a &quot;Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;The word &#39;bilateral&#39; was used consciously to remove any confusion or doubt about the fact that the proposed talks would be between our two nations and only between our two nations, without any third-party present. And he must answer why that proposal withered, because Pakistan is responsible for the aborting that peace process,&quot; Swaraj said.</p>

<p>On old UN resolutions mentioned by Abbasi, Swaraj said that his memory has conveniently failed him where it matters.</p>

<p>&quot;He has forgotten that under the Shimla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration India and Pakistan resolved that they would settle all outstanding issues bilaterally. The reality is that Pakistan s politicians remember everything, manipulate memory into a convenience. They are masters at &#39;forgetting&#39; facts that destroy their version,&quot; Swaraj said.</p>

<p>On climate change, Swaraj said the challenge posed by it requires more &quot;serious action than talk&quot; and asked the leaders of the developed world to help the less fortunate ones through technology transfer and Green Climate Financing.</p>

<p>She also warned the international community that there is a growing question mark over maritime security and that nuclear proliferation is again making dangerous headlines.</p>

<p>&quot;Nuclear proliferation is back in the zone of dangerous headlines. Cyber security has become a source of deep insecurity,&quot; Swaraj said in an apparent reference to the continued provocative behaviour of North Korea which has been carrying out missile tests and nuclear tests in violation of the UN Security Council resolution.</p>

<p>She said a large part of the globe&#39;s population is still tortured by hunger and poverty, and added that the young are beginning to lose hope as they confront unemployment.</p>

<p>Women, victims of historic discrimination, are demanding what they must get gender empowerment, she noted.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Hitting out at Pakistan for creating terror groups like LeT, JeM, and Hizbul Mujahideen, India asked Pakistani leaders to introspect as to why their country is infamous as the 'pre-eminent export factory for terror'

Hitting out at Pakistan for creating terror groups like LeT, JeM, Hizbul Mujahideen and the Haqqani Network, India today asked Pakistani leaders to introspect as to why their country is infamous as the "pre-eminent export factory for terror". In her address to the 72nd UN General Assembly session, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke on issues like terrorism, climate change, maritime and cyber security, UN Security Council reforms, poverty and unemployment. In her hard-hitting speech, Swaraj accused Pakistan of waging a war against India and said a country that has been the world's greatest exporter of havoc, death and inhumanity became a champion of hypocrisy by preaching about humanity from this podium. (Also Read: What Pakistan has to say about Sushma Swaraj's UN speech) She was referring to Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's speech on Thursday wherein he accused India of violating human rights and state-sponsored terrorism. "I would like today to tell Pakistan's politicians just this much, that perhaps the wisest thing they could do is to look within. India and Pakistan became free within hours of each other. Why is it that today India is a recognised IT superpower in the world, and Pakistan is recognised only as the pre-eminent export factory for terror?" Swaraj asked. Watch: India had ripped into Pakistan yesterday, describing it as "terroristan" and a land of "pure terror" that hosts a flourishing industry to produce and export global terrorism. Speaking in Hindi for the second consecutive year at the annual UNGA session, Swaraj said India has risen despite being the principal destination of Pakistan's nefarious export of terrorism. "We established scientific and technical institutions which are the pride of the world. But what has Pakistan offered to the world and indeed to its own people apart from terrorism?" she said, referring to the institutions such as IITs, IIMs and AIIMS. "We produced scientists, scholars, doctors, engineers. What have you produced? You have produced terrorists...you have created terrorist camps, you have created Lashkar-e- Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen and Haqqani network," she said, adding that doctors save people from death; terrorists send them to death. Swaraj said that if Pakistan had spent on its development what it has spent on developing terror, both Pakistan and the world would be safer and better-off today. The minister said the terrorist groups created by Pakistan is not only harming India, but also hurting its neighbours - Afghanistan and Bangladesh - as well. She said that for the first time in the UN history, Pakistan sought right to reply (RoR) for one nation and then it had to simultaneously respond to three nations. "Doesn't it reflect your nefarious designs," she asked. Referring to Prime Minister Abbasi's speech, Swaraj said that the Pakistani leader "wasted" too much of his time in making accusations against India. "Those listening had only one observation: 'Look who's talking!' A country that has been the world's greatest exporter of havoc, death and inhumanity became a champion of hypocrisy by preaching about humanity from this podium," Swaraj said. Commenting on Abbasi's claim that Pakistan's founder M A Jinnah had bequeathed a foreign policy based on peace and friendship, she said while it remains open to question whether Jinnah actually advocated such principles, what is beyond doubt is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered the hand of peace and friendship since he assumed office. "Pakistan's Prime Minister must answer why his nation spurned this offer," she said. Noting that Abbasi spoke of a "Comprehensive Dialogue" between the two countries, Swaraj reminded him that on December 9, 2015, when she was in Islamabad for the Heart of Asia conference, a decision was made by then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that dialogue between India and Pakistan should be renewed and named it a "Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue". "The word 'bilateral' was used consciously to remove any confusion or doubt about the fact that the proposed talks would be between our two nations and only between our two nations, without any third-party present. And he must answer why that proposal withered, because Pakistan is responsible for the aborting that peace process," Swaraj said. On old UN resolutions mentioned by Abbasi, Swaraj said that his memory has conveniently failed him where it matters. "He has forgotten that under the Shimla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration India and Pakistan resolved that they would settle all outstanding issues bilaterally. The reality is that Pakistan s politicians remember everything, manipulate memory into a convenience. They are masters at 'forgetting' facts that destroy their version," Swaraj said. On climate change, Swaraj said the challenge posed by it requires more "serious action than talk" and asked the leaders of the developed world to help the less fortunate ones through technology transfer and Green Climate Financing. She also warned the international community that there is a growing question mark over maritime security and that nuclear proliferation is again making dangerous headlines. "Nuclear proliferation is back in the zone of dangerous headlines. Cyber security has become a source of deep insecurity," Swaraj said in an apparent reference to the continued provocative behaviour of North Korea which has been carrying out missile tests and nuclear tests in violation of the UN Security Council resolution. She said a large part of the globe's population is still tortured by hunger and poverty, and added that the young are beginning to lose hope as they confront unemployment. Women, victims of historic discrimination, are demanding what they must get gender empowerment, she noted.

India scientific and technical superpower, Pakistan export factory for terror: Sushma Swaraj at UN

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will address the 72nd&nbsp;session of United Nations General Assembly today evening in New York.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ms Swaraj is expected to raise issues like the global fight against terrorism, climate change, and Security Council reform in the General Assembly.</p>

<p>Syed Akbaruuddin, India&#39;s Permanent Representative to the UN told PTI that issues of climate change, terrorism, people-centric migration, and peacekeeping are key focus areas for India this year.</p>

<p>This will be the second consecutive address of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in the United Nations General Assembly. Last year, the external affairs minister gave her speech&nbsp;in Hindi.</p>

<p>The Union Minister met with the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in New York on Friday where the two leaders discussed bilateral issues along with&nbsp;the ongoing instability in South Asia because of terrorism.</p>

<p>Spokesperson of India&#39;s Foreign Ministry, Ravish Kumar stated that the two leaders discussed issues of trade, investment, defence, H-1B visa and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) during the meeting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The H-1B visa has been a bone of contention between India and United States since US President Donald Trump ordered a review of it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After he became president, Trump ordered a review of the US visa, believing that most of the jobs were taken away from Americans and were given to less-paid employees at outsourcing firms, many based in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/h-1bvisa-defence-feature-in-talks-between-sushma-swaraj-us-counterpart-tillerson-20546" target="_blank">Also Read: H-1B visa, </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/h-1bvisa-defence-feature-in-talks-between-sushma-swaraj-us-counterpart-tillerson-20546" target="_blank">defence</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/h-1bvisa-defence-feature-in-talks-between-sushma-swaraj-us-counterpart-tillerson-20546" target="_blank"> feature in talks between Sushma Swaraj, US counterpart Tillerson</a></p>

<p>On the sidelines of the UN General Meeting, Sushma Swaraj also attended a meeting of foreign ministers from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) nations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In her address at the SCO meeting, the external affairs minister raised the issue of the consistent rise in the instability and insecurity in South Asia. She added that regional prosperity, connectivity and cooperation can take place only in a peaceful atmosphere.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Condemning all forms of terrorism in the meeting, Ms Swaraj stressed upon improving India&#39;s connectivity with SCO countries and the need for building trust between the nations.</p>

<p>The Union Minister also met with her counterparts from Tunisia, Bahrain, Latvia, the UAE, and Denmark. According to the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, the main discussion in the meeting was focused largely on bilateral cooperation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sushma Swaraj is on a week-long visit to the United States for United Nations General Assembly session.</p>

<p>A day before her address, India&#39;s First Secretary to the United Nations, Eenam Gambhir, called Pakistan &quot;Terroristan&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Her remarks were in response to Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi claims saying India violates Human Rights in areas of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She hit back at Abbasi&#39;s slur on India by describing Pakistan as a failed state. She said, &quot;world does not need lessons on democracy and human rights from a country whose own situation is charitably described as a failed state.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-is-now-terroristan-india-replies-at-un-20505" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;India replies to Pakistan at UN, calls it &#39;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-is-now-terroristan-india-replies-at-un-20505">Terroristan</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-is-now-terroristan-india-replies-at-un-20505">&#39;</a></p>

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Syed Akbaruuddin, India's Permanent Representative to the UN said issues of climate change, terrorism, people-centric migration, and peacekeeping are key focus areas for India this year, PTI reported

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will address the 72nd session of United Nations General Assembly today evening in New York. Ms Swaraj is expected to raise issues like the global fight against terrorism, climate change, and Security Council reform in the General Assembly. Syed Akbaruuddin, India's Permanent Representative to the UN told PTI that issues of climate change, terrorism, people-centric migration, and peacekeeping are key focus areas for India this year. This will be the second consecutive address of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in the United Nations General Assembly. Last year, the external affairs minister gave her speech in Hindi. The Union Minister met with the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in New York on Friday where the two leaders discussed bilateral issues along with the ongoing instability in South Asia because of terrorism. Spokesperson of India's Foreign Ministry, Ravish Kumar stated that the two leaders discussed issues of trade, investment, defence, H-1B visa and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) during the meeting. The H-1B visa has been a bone of contention between India and United States since US President Donald Trump ordered a review of it. After he became president, Trump ordered a review of the US visa, believing that most of the jobs were taken away from Americans and were given to less-paid employees at outsourcing firms, many based in India. Also Read: H-1B visa, defence feature in talks between Sushma Swaraj, US counterpart Tillerson On the sidelines of the UN General Meeting, Sushma Swaraj also attended a meeting of foreign ministers from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) nations. In her address at the SCO meeting, the external affairs minister raised the issue of the consistent rise in the instability and insecurity in South Asia. She added that regional prosperity, connectivity and cooperation can take place only in a peaceful atmosphere. Condemning all forms of terrorism in the meeting, Ms Swaraj stressed upon improving India's connectivity with SCO countries and the need for building trust between the nations. The Union Minister also met with her counterparts from Tunisia, Bahrain, Latvia, the UAE, and Denmark. According to the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, the main discussion in the meeting was focused largely on bilateral cooperation. Sushma Swaraj is on a week-long visit to the United States for United Nations General Assembly session. A day before her address, India's First Secretary to the United Nations, Eenam Gambhir, called Pakistan "Terroristan". Her remarks were in response to Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi claims saying India violates Human Rights in areas of Jammu and Kashmir. She hit back at Abbasi's slur on India by describing Pakistan as a failed state. She said, "world does not need lessons on democracy and human rights from a country whose own situation is charitably described as a failed state." Also Read: India replies to Pakistan at UN, calls it 'Terroristan'

Sushma Swaraj to address UN General Assembly today

<p>India&#39;s Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday (September 22) met US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in New York during which they discussed the situation in South Asia and reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral issues.</p>

<p>The two leaders met on the sidelines of the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session.</p>

<p>Spokesperson of India&#39;s Foreign Ministry, Raveesh Kumar said the two leaders discussed issues of trade, investment, defence, H-1B&nbsp;visa and also the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) during the meeting.</p>

<p>President Donald Trump has ordered a review of the US visa (H-1B) programme for bringing high-skilled foreign workers into the country, putting technology firms and the outsourcing companies that serve them on notice that possible changes may be ahead.</p>

<p>Critics of the program say most H-1B visas are awarded for lower-paid jobs at outsourcing firms, many based in India. That takes work away from Americans, lowers wages and keeps Americans from being trained in tech-related fields.</p>

<p>Trump has also threatened to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) - an immigration policy that allowed minors, who entered the country illegally, two-year period of deferred action from deportation.</p>

<p>Ms Swaraj is on a week-long visit to the US to attend the 72nd session of the UNGA. She will address the general assembly on September 23.</p>


The two leaders met on the sidelines of the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session

India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday (September 22) met US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in New York during which they discussed the situation in South Asia and reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral issues. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session. Spokesperson of India's Foreign Ministry, Raveesh Kumar said the two leaders discussed issues of trade, investment, defence, H-1B visa and also the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) during the meeting. President Donald Trump has ordered a review of the US visa (H-1B) programme for bringing high-skilled foreign workers into the country, putting technology firms and the outsourcing companies that serve them on notice that possible changes may be ahead. Critics of the program say most H-1B visas are awarded for lower-paid jobs at outsourcing firms, many based in India. That takes work away from Americans, lowers wages and keeps Americans from being trained in tech-related fields. Trump has also threatened to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) - an immigration policy that allowed minors, who entered the country illegally, two-year period of deferred action from deportation. Ms Swaraj is on a week-long visit to the US to attend the 72nd session of the UNGA. She will address the general assembly on September 23.

H-1B?visa, defence feature in talks between Sushma Swaraj, US counterpart Tillerson

<p>India and Pakistan&#39;s bitter relations and Pakistan&#39;s continuous terror operations in India may again call off this year&#39;s SAARC meeting, media reports said.</p>

<p>India has evidently shown its disinterest towards any South Asian meeting at the meeting of SAARC foreign ministers held on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A media report quoted external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said &quot;Regional prosperity, connectivity and cooperation can take place only in an atmosphere of peace and security. It, however, remains at serious risk in the region&quot;.</p>

<p>Sushma Swaraj also added that SAARC failed to connect South Asia with other regions of the world and it could not develop a free trade system.</p>

<p>In the UNGA, India&#39;s major concern has been on maintaining peace and security in the South Asian region.</p>

<p>India has always played a lead role in in SAARC Summit. The country&#39;s disinterest makes it quite uncertain&nbsp;the event itself will take place.</p>

<p>The 2016 SAARC Summit was called off after India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan showed disinterest in the event that was scheduled to be held in Islamabad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The three countries cited Pakistan&#39;s open support to terror as a reason for their disapproval.&nbsp;</p>

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The 2016 SAARC Summit was called off after India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan showed disinterest in the event that was scheduled to be held in Islamabad

India and Pakistan's bitter relations and Pakistan's continuous terror operations in India may again call off this year's SAARC meeting, media reports said. India has evidently shown its disinterest towards any South Asian meeting at the meeting of SAARC foreign ministers held on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly. A media report quoted external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said "Regional prosperity, connectivity and cooperation can take place only in an atmosphere of peace and security. It, however, remains at serious risk in the region". Sushma Swaraj also added that SAARC failed to connect South Asia with other regions of the world and it could not develop a free trade system. In the UNGA, India's major concern has been on maintaining peace and security in the South Asian region. India has always played a lead role in in SAARC Summit. The country's disinterest makes it quite uncertain the event itself will take place. The 2016 SAARC Summit was called off after India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan showed disinterest in the event that was scheduled to be held in Islamabad. The three countries cited Pakistan's open support to terror as a reason for their disapproval.

Will India, Pakistan conflict again call off SAARC summit?

<p>India has asked for an investigation into North Korea`s nuclear proliferation links.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India adding that those involved must be held accountable.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Those involved&quot; was a veiled reference to Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj asked for the investigation during her trilateral meeting with United States secretary of state Rex Tillerson, and her Japanese counterpart Taro Kono on Monday on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly session in New York.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When asked about the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea (DPRK), ANI reported the spokesperson for the ministry of external affairs, Raveesh Kumar, as saying the external affairs minister deplored its recent actions.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">EAM deplored North Korea&#39;s recent actions&amp;stated its proliferation linkages must be explored &amp; those involved must be held accountable: MEA <a href="https://t.co/VtjGqnAc75">pic.twitter.com/VtjGqnAc75</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/909954458066460672">September 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Kumar said that &quot;its proliferation linkages must be explored and those involved be held accountable.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I think I am giving you enough material to try to figure out what we are talking about,&quot; he added.</p>


Sushma Swaraj asked for the investigation during her trilateral meeting with the US secretary of state and the Japanese foreign minister

India has asked for an investigation into North Korea`s nuclear proliferation links. India adding that those involved must be held accountable. "Those involved" was a veiled reference to Pakistan. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj asked for the investigation during her trilateral meeting with United States secretary of state Rex Tillerson, and her Japanese counterpart Taro Kono on Monday on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly session in New York. When asked about the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea (DPRK), ANI reported the spokesperson for the ministry of external affairs, Raveesh Kumar, as saying the external affairs minister deplored its recent actions. EAM deplored North Korea's recent actions&stated its proliferation linkages must be explored & those involved must be held accountable: MEA pic.twitter.com/VtjGqnAc75 — ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2017 × Kumar said that "its proliferation linkages must be explored and those involved be held accountable." "I think I am giving you enough material to try to figure out what we are talking about," he added.

India asks for probe into nuclear proliferation links between Pakistan, N Korea

<p>&nbsp;Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj called on Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena in Colombo on Friday (September 01) and discussed bilateral issues of mutual collaboration.</p>

<p>Swaraj is on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka to attend the second edition of the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC).</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Swaraj also met her Sri Lankan counterpart Tilak Marapana and held discussions on various aspects of bilateral cooperation.</p>

<p>The details of the matters discussed in the two meetings were not known immediately.</p>

<p>Swaraj arrived in Colombo on Thursday (August 31) and inaugurated the IOC along with leaders from other member countries. She called for cooperation among the Indian Ocean nations to ensure its waters remain safe and secure.</p>

<p>The theme of this year&#39;s conference is &#39;Peace, Progress and Prosperity&#39; and over 35 countries are participating.</p>

<p>The first edition of the IOC was held in Singapore in September 2016.</p>

<p>Reportedly, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-releases-76-indian-fishermen-as-goodwill-gesture-19702">Sri Lanka decided to release 76 Indian fishermen arrested</a> for allegedly poaching in its waters as a goodwill gesture to mark Swaraj&#39;s visit.</p>


Sushma Swaraj is on a two day visit to Sri Lanka for Indian Ocean Conference

Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj called on Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena in Colombo on Friday (September 01) and discussed bilateral issues of mutual collaboration. Swaraj is on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka to attend the second edition of the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC). Earlier in the day, Swaraj also met her Sri Lankan counterpart Tilak Marapana and held discussions on various aspects of bilateral cooperation. The details of the matters discussed in the two meetings were not known immediately. Swaraj arrived in Colombo on Thursday (August 31) and inaugurated the IOC along with leaders from other member countries. She called for cooperation among the Indian Ocean nations to ensure its waters remain safe and secure. The theme of this year's conference is 'Peace, Progress and Prosperity' and over 35 countries are participating. The first edition of the IOC was held in Singapore in September 2016. Reportedly, Sri Lanka decided to release 76 Indian fishermen arrested for allegedly poaching in its waters as a goodwill gesture to mark Swaraj's visit.

Indian foreign minister meets Sri Lankan president

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today called on Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest.</p>

<p>Swaraj, who arrived here on a two-day visit to participate in the 15th ministerial meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), met Deuba at his official residence in Baluwatar.</p>

<p>This is the first meeting between the two leaders since Deuba took over as Nepal Prime Minister in a power-sharing deal in June.</p>

<p>During the meeting, the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, Republica newspaper quoted a source close to Deuba as saying.</p>

<p>&quot;Both sides also reiterated their commitment to deepen the friendly relationship between the two countries,&quot; the source said.</p>

<p>Swaraj said that she was looking forward to welcoming Deuba in India, the paper said.</p>

<p>Deuba is set to embark on a five-day official visit to India from August 23.</p>

<p>Swaraj is also scheduled to call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari.</p>

<p>Swaraj&#39;s visit comes as India is pushing for a larger role for BIMSTEC, an international organisation involving a group of countries in South Asia and South East Asia.</p>

<p>The member countries of BIMSTEC are India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.</p>


Sushma Swaraj, who arrived in Kathmandu on a two-day visit for the BIMSTEC meet, met Deuba at his official residence in Baluwatar

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today called on Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest. Swaraj, who arrived here on a two-day visit to participate in the 15th ministerial meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), met Deuba at his official residence in Baluwatar. This is the first meeting between the two leaders since Deuba took over as Nepal Prime Minister in a power-sharing deal in June. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, Republica newspaper quoted a source close to Deuba as saying. "Both sides also reiterated their commitment to deepen the friendly relationship between the two countries," the source said. Swaraj said that she was looking forward to welcoming Deuba in India, the paper said. Deuba is set to embark on a five-day official visit to India from August 23. Swaraj is also scheduled to call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari. Swaraj's visit comes as India is pushing for a larger role for BIMSTEC, an international organisation involving a group of countries in South Asia and South East Asia. The member countries of BIMSTEC are India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.

Sushma Swaraj in Nepal for BIMSTEC meet, meets PM Sher Bahadur Deuba

<p>The Opposition will most likely move two privilege motions against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in the Rajya Sabha today.</p>

<p>The motions will be moved against her over two issues - misinformation on Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s Lahore visit in 2015 and the Bandung Conference.</p>

<p>Congress leader Anand Sharma questioned Prime Minister Modi&#39;s foreign policy and asked the Centre its roadmap on dealing with Pakistan.</p>

<p>Flagging its concern over the deteriorating ties between both the nations, Sharma asked why Prime Minister Modi made that &quot;dramatic&quot; visit to Pakistan and why, till date, nobody knows the minutae of the meeting.</p>

<p>&quot;You were going to Afghanistan and got down at Lahore mid-way; till date the Prime Minister hasn&#39;t told the nation what talks took place. On one hand, you get miffed and cancel talks after Pakistan invites separatists on a tea party, and on the other hand, you make a dramatic visit breaching all protocols,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>In December 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had &quot;unexpectedly&quot;&nbsp;landed in Lahore to meet his counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his way back home after a day-long trip today to Afghanistan which took place after he concluded a two-day visit to Russia. The Congress also warned Sushma over keeping two different and distinct views on the China issue and said that when it comes to Beijing, India should speak in one voice, there will be no two opinions on that.</p>

<p>Anand Sharma said, &quot;Let me remind Sushma Swaraj that out of courtesy we did not interrupt. What I had said catering to the Congress Party is concerned; we are very clear that we stand with the government as one. When it comes to China issue; India shall speak in one voice - there will be no two opinions on that. Sushma Swaraj should not have tried to break that opposition consensus and unity. When India is united why is the government keen on creating a division and breaking the consensus.</p>

<p>&quot;This happened after Sushma, in the Rajya Sabha, said that India has taken efforts to ease the stand-off with China. She further stated that war cannot resolve the problems and that the wisdom is to resolve issues diplomatically on the issue of border stand-off with China.The Centre and the Opposition engaged in another verbal duel in the Rajya Sabha over India&#39;s statement at the last Bandung Conference in Indonesia.</p>

<p>A combative External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also asserted that she felt proud when she attended the Bandung Conference and saw large pictures of Nehru at the venue, when Anand Sharma alleged that first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru`s name was omitted from the address delivered by Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh at the 60th anniversary of Bandung Conference.Sushma said the speech which Sharma was referring to was delivered at another Afro-Asian Conference held separately.Nehru was one of the founder members of the Bandung Conference founded in 1955.</p>

<p>(ANI)&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Opposition will most likely move two privilege motions against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in the Rajya Sabha today. The motions will be moved against her over two issues - misinformation on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lahore visit in 2015 and the Bandung Conference.

The Opposition will most likely move two privilege motions against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in the Rajya Sabha today. The motions will be moved against her over two issues - misinformation on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lahore visit in 2015 and the Bandung Conference. Congress leader Anand Sharma questioned Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy and asked the Centre its roadmap on dealing with Pakistan. Flagging its concern over the deteriorating ties between both the nations, Sharma asked why Prime Minister Modi made that "dramatic" visit to Pakistan and why, till date, nobody knows the minutae of the meeting. "You were going to Afghanistan and got down at Lahore mid-way; till date the Prime Minister hasn't told the nation what talks took place. On one hand, you get miffed and cancel talks after Pakistan invites separatists on a tea party, and on the other hand, you make a dramatic visit breaching all protocols," he said. In December 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "unexpectedly" landed in Lahore to meet his counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his way back home after a day-long trip today to Afghanistan which took place after he concluded a two-day visit to Russia. The Congress also warned Sushma over keeping two different and distinct views on the China issue and said that when it comes to Beijing, India should speak in one voice, there will be no two opinions on that. Anand Sharma said, "Let me remind Sushma Swaraj that out of courtesy we did not interrupt. What I had said catering to the Congress Party is concerned; we are very clear that we stand with the government as one. When it comes to China issue; India shall speak in one voice - there will be no two opinions on that. Sushma Swaraj should not have tried to break that opposition consensus and unity. When India is united why is the government keen on creating a division and breaking the consensus. "This happened after Sushma, in the Rajya Sabha, said that India has taken efforts to ease the stand-off with China. She further stated that war cannot resolve the problems and that the wisdom is to resolve issues diplomatically on the issue of border stand-off with China.The Centre and the Opposition engaged in another verbal duel in the Rajya Sabha over India's statement at the last Bandung Conference in Indonesia. A combative External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also asserted that she felt proud when she attended the Bandung Conference and saw large pictures of Nehru at the venue, when Anand Sharma alleged that first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru`s name was omitted from the address delivered by Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh at the 60th anniversary of Bandung Conference.Sushma said the speech which Sharma was referring to was delivered at another Afro-Asian Conference held separately.Nehru was one of the founder members of the Bandung Conference founded in 1955. (ANI)

Opposition to move two privilege motions against Sushma Swaraj in Rajya Sabha today

<p>China has said that it has shown &quot;utmost goodwill&quot; over the prolonged military standoff with India in the Sikkim sector but warned that its &quot;restraint&quot; has a &quot;bottom line&quot;.</p>

<p>The reaction from the Chinese defence ministry late last night came a day after the Indian External Affairs Ministry in a statement said that the peace and tranquillity of the India-China boundary constitutes the important prerequisite for the smooth development of bilateral relations.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/war-not-a-solution-to-doklam-standoff-sushma-swaraj-18562" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;War not a solution to Doklam standoff, says Sushma Swaraj</a></p>

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj last month made clear India&#39;s position on the over-a-month-long standoff in the Doklam area, saying both sides should first pull back their troops for any talks to take place, favouring a peaceful resolution.</p>

<p>The standoff began on June 16 after Chinese troops began constructing a road near the tri-junction with Bhutan, which India says was a unilateral action by Beijing to change the status quo in the area.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/why-india-needs-to-take-seriously-beijings-position-paper-on-doklam-18532">Also read:&nbsp;Why India needs to take seriously Beijing&rsquo;s Position Paper on Doklam</a></p>

<p>New Delhi fears the construction of the road would allow China to cut off India&#39;s access to its northeastern states. Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson of the Chinese defence ministry, in a statement called on the Indian side to swiftly address the situation in a proper manner to restore peace and tranquillity in the border region.</p>

<p>&quot;Since the incident occurred, China has shown utmost goodwill and sought to communicate with India through diplomatic channels to resolve the incident. Chinese armed forces have also shown a high level of restraint with an eye to the general bilateral relations and the regional peace and stability,&quot; the spokesperson said, according to report in the state-run Xinhua news agency.</p>

<p>&quot;However, goodwill has its principles and restraint has its bottom line,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>The spokesperson urged the Indian side to give up the &quot;illusion of its delaying tactic, as no country should underestimate the Chinese forces&#39; confidence and capability to safeguard peace and their resolve and willpower to defend national sovereignty, security and development interests&quot;.</p>

<p>The spokesperson said the Chinese armed forces will resolutely protect the country&#39;s territorial sovereignty and security interests.</p>

<p>His comments also come after Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of a BRICS summit of NSAs from the member countries.</p>


China in a late-night statement asked India to give up the 'illusion of its delaying tactic'

China has said that it has shown "utmost goodwill" over the prolonged military standoff with India in the Sikkim sector but warned that its "restraint" has a "bottom line". The reaction from the Chinese defence ministry late last night came a day after the Indian External Affairs Ministry in a statement said that the peace and tranquillity of the India-China boundary constitutes the important prerequisite for the smooth development of bilateral relations. Also read: War not a solution to Doklam standoff, says Sushma Swaraj External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj last month made clear India's position on the over-a-month-long standoff in the Doklam area, saying both sides should first pull back their troops for any talks to take place, favouring a peaceful resolution. The standoff began on June 16 after Chinese troops began constructing a road near the tri-junction with Bhutan, which India says was a unilateral action by Beijing to change the status quo in the area. Also read: Why India needs to take seriously Beijing’s Position Paper on Doklam New Delhi fears the construction of the road would allow China to cut off India's access to its northeastern states. Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson of the Chinese defence ministry, in a statement called on the Indian side to swiftly address the situation in a proper manner to restore peace and tranquillity in the border region. "Since the incident occurred, China has shown utmost goodwill and sought to communicate with India through diplomatic channels to resolve the incident. Chinese armed forces have also shown a high level of restraint with an eye to the general bilateral relations and the regional peace and stability," the spokesperson said, according to report in the state-run Xinhua news agency. "However, goodwill has its principles and restraint has its bottom line," he added. The spokesperson urged the Indian side to give up the "illusion of its delaying tactic, as no country should underestimate the Chinese forces' confidence and capability to safeguard peace and their resolve and willpower to defend national sovereignty, security and development interests". The spokesperson said the Chinese armed forces will resolutely protect the country's territorial sovereignty and security interests. His comments also come after Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of a BRICS summit of NSAs from the member countries.

'Restraint has its bottom line': China on Doklam standoff

<p>India&rsquo;s foreign minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday said that war is not a solution to the current standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in the Doklam plateau. She also said&nbsp;that India has taken efforts to ease the standoff.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We have a strong Army but war is not a solution. It (solution) will come with courage, patience and via diplomatic channels,&rdquo; Swaraj said in the Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/restraint-has-a-bottom-line-china-on-doklam-standoff-18589" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;Restraint has a bottom line, China says on Doklam standoff</a></p>

<p>Swaraj said India is also talking on the bilateral relations with China.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We are not just negotiating on Doklam with China, we are also talking on&nbsp;the bilateral relations. The solution will emerge from this.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&quot;We will also continue to maintain close consultation and coordination with the Royal Government of Bhutan,&quot; the foreign minister further said.</p>

<p>The foreign minister also slammed Rahul Gandhi&#39;s talks with China&#39;s ambassador in the wake of the border standoff.</p>

<p>&quot;He should have consulted with the Prime Minister first. The opposition should have taken the government&#39;s view before meeting the Chinese,&quot; Swaraj said.</p>

<p>This comes a day after China&rsquo;s foreign ministry issued a 15-page statement in which it said India should &ldquo;immediately and unconditionally withdraw its trespassing border troops back to the Indian side of the boundary&rdquo;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The statement also contains a map and two pictures allegedly showing Indian troops trespassing into Chinese territory.</p>


The foreign minister also said?that India has taken efforts to ease the standoff with China

India’s foreign minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday said that war is not a solution to the current standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in the Doklam plateau. She also said that India has taken efforts to ease the standoff. “We have a strong Army but war is not a solution. It (solution) will come with courage, patience and via diplomatic channels,” Swaraj said in the Rajya Sabha. Also read: Restraint has a bottom line, China says on Doklam standoff Swaraj said India is also talking on the bilateral relations with China. “We are not just negotiating on Doklam with China, we are also talking on the bilateral relations. The solution will emerge from this.” "We will also continue to maintain close consultation and coordination with the Royal Government of Bhutan," the foreign minister further said. The foreign minister also slammed Rahul Gandhi's talks with China's ambassador in the wake of the border standoff. "He should have consulted with the Prime Minister first. The opposition should have taken the government's view before meeting the Chinese," Swaraj said. This comes a day after China’s foreign ministry issued a 15-page statement in which it said India should “immediately and unconditionally withdraw its trespassing border troops back to the Indian side of the boundary”. The statement also contains a map and two pictures allegedly showing Indian troops trespassing into Chinese territory.

War not a solution to Doklam standoff: Sushma Swaraj

<p>Four-month old infant from Pakistan, Rohaan, who was brought to India for medical treatment, backed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, successfully underwent a heart surgery at Noida&#39;s Jaypee Hospital.</p>

<p>His father, Kanwal Sadiq,&nbsp;who was elated at the outcome of the surgery,&nbsp;took the opportunity to thank Swaraj for lending a helping hand to the family for obtaining their visa to fly to India.</p>

<p>&quot;India was like home. I want to share my joy with entire world. She (EAM Swaraj) is fantastic. Hope others awaiting their turn are helped too,&quot; Kanwal told ANI.</p>

<p>The doctor, who performed the surgery, said, the child was perceived like any other patient, with no heed given to his nationality.</p>

<p>&quot;He was critical and had multiple VSDs. We were worried before the operation. It was only after a month that we discharged him. He is doing well. His parents had placed their trust in us,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>After preliminary investigation in Pakistan, it was discovered that Rohaan had a hole in his&nbsp;heart and a problem with the heart&#39;s nerves. The treatment for such a major disease could not be done in Pakistan or other small hospital without inadequate facility or infrastructure. The family was subsequently referred to Jaypee Hospital.</p>

<p>Rohaan&#39;s father approached Sushma Swaraj and made a plea for a medical visa. Upon receiving the request, she immediately directed the authorities to grant medical visa to Rohaan&#39;s family, who arrived with him via Wagah Border.</p>

<p>The Indian minister swung into action and replied with a tweet, &quot;No. The child will not suffer. Pls contact Indian High Commission in Pakistan. We will give the medical visa.&quot;</p>

<p>Rohaan and his parents arrived in India on June 13, following which he was taken to Jaypee Hospital.</p>


Rohaan's father made a plea for a medical visa to Sushma Swaraj who immediately directed authorities to grant a medical visa to Rohaan's family

Four-month old infant from Pakistan, Rohaan, who was brought to India for medical treatment, backed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, successfully underwent a heart surgery at Noida's Jaypee Hospital. His father, Kanwal Sadiq, who was elated at the outcome of the surgery, took the opportunity to thank Swaraj for lending a helping hand to the family for obtaining their visa to fly to India. "India was like home. I want to share my joy with entire world. She (EAM Swaraj) is fantastic. Hope others awaiting their turn are helped too," Kanwal told ANI. The doctor, who performed the surgery, said, the child was perceived like any other patient, with no heed given to his nationality. "He was critical and had multiple VSDs. We were worried before the operation. It was only after a month that we discharged him. He is doing well. His parents had placed their trust in us," he said. After preliminary investigation in Pakistan, it was discovered that Rohaan had a hole in his heart and a problem with the heart's nerves. The treatment for such a major disease could not be done in Pakistan or other small hospital without inadequate facility or infrastructure. The family was subsequently referred to Jaypee Hospital. Rohaan's father approached Sushma Swaraj and made a plea for a medical visa. Upon receiving the request, she immediately directed the authorities to grant medical visa to Rohaan's family, who arrived with him via Wagah Border. The Indian minister swung into action and replied with a tweet, "No. The child will not suffer. Pls contact Indian High Commission in Pakistan. We will give the medical visa." Rohaan and his parents arrived in India on June 13, following which he was taken to Jaypee Hospital.

Pakistani infant successfully undergoes surgery in India, father thanks Sushma Swaraj

<p>A five-month-old Pakistani boy, who was promised medical treatment by Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj after his father tweeted about not being able to get a visa, is going home following a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-hole-in-heart-toddler-to-undergo-surgery-in-india-today-16806">successful surgery</a> in a hospital in Noida.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rohaan, who had a congenital heart disease, came to India with his parents on June 12 to undergo a high-risk surgery called Arterial Switch, The Times of India reported.</p>

<p>&quot;The child has been successfully operated upon and his health condition is being monitored. He will be discharged soon,&quot; a spokesperson for the hospital told TOI.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Read:<a href="http://India grants medical visa to Pakistani toddler amid tension along border">&nbsp;India grants medical visa to Pakistani toddler amid tension along border</a></p>

<p>On May 22, the boy&rsquo;s father Kanwal Saadik, had tweeted to Swaraj and Pakistan foreign affairs minister Sartaj Aziz that his child was &ldquo;suffering&rdquo; due to the delay in getting medical treatment and was unable to get a visa due to a change in the procedure of medical visa application, following tensions between the two countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The case was brought to&nbsp;Swaraj&rsquo;s notice after a series of tweets from Saadik and several Twitter users from the two countries.&nbsp;</p>


Five-month-old Rohaan was promised medical treatment by Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj after his father tweeted about the difficulties in getting a medical visa following tensions between the two countries

A five-month-old Pakistani boy, who was promised medical treatment by Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj after his father tweeted about not being able to get a visa, is going home following a successful surgery in a hospital in Noida. Rohaan, who had a congenital heart disease, came to India with his parents on June 12 to undergo a high-risk surgery called Arterial Switch, The Times of India reported. "The child has been successfully operated upon and his health condition is being monitored. He will be discharged soon," a spokesperson for the hospital told TOI. Read: India grants medical visa to Pakistani toddler amid tension along border On May 22, the boy’s father Kanwal Saadik, had tweeted to Swaraj and Pakistan foreign affairs minister Sartaj Aziz that his child was “suffering” due to the delay in getting medical treatment and was unable to get a visa due to a change in the procedure of medical visa application, following tensions between the two countries. The case was brought to Swaraj’s notice after a series of tweets from Saadik and several Twitter users from the two countries.

Pak baby recovers from surgery in India, set to return home

<p>External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and home minister Rajnath Singh today (July 14) held a joint briefing of the opposition parties on the issue of India-China standoff and the situation in Kashmir in the aftermath of the killing of seven Amarnath pilgrims.</p>

<p>The opposition was informed about the situation on the ground in Doklam and what the government intended to do to de-escalate the tension in the disputed area, where the armies of China and India are involved in a stand-off since&nbsp;a month.</p>

<p>India&#39;s external affairs ministry said after the meeting that all parties supported India&#39;s approach and were briefed about the importance of India and China remaining engaged through diplomacy.</p>

<p>&quot;All participants expressed strong support for India&#39;s approach and also for the need for national unity. Importance of India and China to remain engaged through diplomacy was underlined,&quot; Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.</p>

<p>&quot;There was widespread appreciation of the Astana understanding between India and China that differences between them should not become disputes,&quot; Gopal Baglay said.</p>

<p>The Opposition parties led by the Congress&nbsp;said all parties were with the government as far as national unity was concerned.<br />
<br />
The Congress urged the government to engage diplomatically with China to de-escalate the situation in Doklam and resolve the border crisis without compromising on India&#39;s national interests.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;We stand united when it comes to India&#39;s national interests,&quot; Congress leader Anand Sharma said.</p>

<p>&quot;We had concerns. We told the government to deescalate the situation and resolve the crisis by diplomatically engaging with China without compromising on India&#39;s security interests,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Alleging that security lapses in Jammu and Kashmir led to the attack on Amarnath pilgrims, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and Mallikarjun Kharge asked the government to engage with the local population and help improve the situation in Kashmir.</p>

<p>Ghulam Nabi Azad said all opposition parties have assured the government that when it comes to the country&#39;s territorial integrity, they all stand united.</p>

<p>Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said he also raised the issue of the overall internal security situation in the country in the wake of rising incidents of lynchings and vigilantism.</p>

<p>He also urged the government on the need to initiate engagement in Kashmir to improve the situation in the valley after all-round condemnation of attacks on Amarnath pilgrims.</p>

<p>The meeting comes just before the beginning of the Monsoon session of the Parliament,&nbsp;and is being viewed as an attempt to apparently build a consensus to deal with India&#39;s biggest neighbour as well as on the Kashmir issue.</p>

<p>The Congress has been critical of the government for not keeping it informed over the developments on the border stand-off with China and on the internal security situation.</p>

<p>National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and foreign secretary S Jaishankar were also present in the meeting which was held at Rajnath Singh&#39;s residence.</p>

<p>Leaders from the opposition parties were invited for the briefing by the government.</p>

<p>CPI-M&#39;s Sitaram Yechury, Samajwadi Party&#39;s Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lok Janshakti Party&#39;s Ram Vilas Paswan, NCP&#39;s Tariq Anwar and Sharad Yadav and JD-U&#39;s KC Tyagi also attended the meeting.</p>

<p>CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the Opposition will &quot;fully support&quot; the Centre in its efforts to resolve the India-China standoff in Doklam through diplomatic channels.</p>

<p>He, however, asked the government to introspect why India&#39;s ties with its neighbours have &quot;suddenly deteriorated&quot;.</p>

<p>The Left leader also questioned the government on whether the Amarnath terror attack could have been prevented, asking why intelligence inputs available before the attack on Amarnath pilgrims &quot;was not used&quot; and how the bus carrying pilgrims was allowed to go off on its own.</p>

<p>In a Facebook post after the meeting, Yechury reiterated the opposition&#39;s position that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has &quot;worsened&quot; in the past three years and asked the government to correct its &quot;faulty&quot; approach.</p>

<p>The CPI (M) leader also accused the government of going back on the&nbsp;promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India that &quot;it shall implement confidence-building measures and start the political process with all stakeholders&quot;.</p>


The government held a joint briefing of the opposition parties on the issue of the stand-off in Doklam and the terrorist attack in Amarnath

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and home minister Rajnath Singh today (July 14) held a joint briefing of the opposition parties on the issue of India-China standoff and the situation in Kashmir in the aftermath of the killing of seven Amarnath pilgrims. The opposition was informed about the situation on the ground in Doklam and what the government intended to do to de-escalate the tension in the disputed area, where the armies of China and India are involved in a stand-off since a month. India's external affairs ministry said after the meeting that all parties supported India's approach and were briefed about the importance of India and China remaining engaged through diplomacy. "All participants expressed strong support for India's approach and also for the need for national unity. Importance of India and China to remain engaged through diplomacy was underlined," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay said. "There was widespread appreciation of the Astana understanding between India and China that differences between them should not become disputes," Gopal Baglay said. The Opposition parties led by the Congress said all parties were with the government as far as national unity was concerned. The Congress urged the government to engage diplomatically with China to de-escalate the situation in Doklam and resolve the border crisis without compromising on India's national interests. "We stand united when it comes to India's national interests," Congress leader Anand Sharma said. "We had concerns. We told the government to deescalate the situation and resolve the crisis by diplomatically engaging with China without compromising on India's security interests," he said. Alleging that security lapses in Jammu and Kashmir led to the attack on Amarnath pilgrims, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and Mallikarjun Kharge asked the government to engage with the local population and help improve the situation in Kashmir. Ghulam Nabi Azad said all opposition parties have assured the government that when it comes to the country's territorial integrity, they all stand united. Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said he also raised the issue of the overall internal security situation in the country in the wake of rising incidents of lynchings and vigilantism. He also urged the government on the need to initiate engagement in Kashmir to improve the situation in the valley after all-round condemnation of attacks on Amarnath pilgrims. The meeting comes just before the beginning of the Monsoon session of the Parliament, and is being viewed as an attempt to apparently build a consensus to deal with India's biggest neighbour as well as on the Kashmir issue. The Congress has been critical of the government for not keeping it informed over the developments on the border stand-off with China and on the internal security situation. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and foreign secretary S Jaishankar were also present in the meeting which was held at Rajnath Singh's residence. Leaders from the opposition parties were invited for the briefing by the government. CPI-M's Sitaram Yechury, Samajwadi Party's Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lok Janshakti Party's Ram Vilas Paswan, NCP's Tariq Anwar and Sharad Yadav and JD-U's KC Tyagi also attended the meeting. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the Opposition will "fully support" the Centre in its efforts to resolve the India-China standoff in Doklam through diplomatic channels. He, however, asked the government to introspect why India's ties with its neighbours have "suddenly deteriorated". The Left leader also questioned the government on whether the Amarnath terror attack could have been prevented, asking why intelligence inputs available before the attack on Amarnath pilgrims "was not used" and how the bus carrying pilgrims was allowed to go off on its own. In a Facebook post after the meeting, Yechury reiterated the opposition's position that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has "worsened" in the past three years and asked the government to correct its "faulty" approach. The CPI (M) leader also accused the government of going back on the promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India that "it shall implement confidence-building measures and start the political process with all stakeholders".

Parties united on national interest: Opposition on India-China stand-off, Amarnath terror attack

<p>Pakistan is considering the request of Kulbhushan Jadhav&#39;s mother Avantika Jadhav for the grant of visa, its foreign office said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Considering giving Kulbhushan Jadhav&#39;s mother a visa on India&#39;s request says Pakistan Foreign Office: Pak media</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/885441572031963137">July 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>India&#39;s ministry of external affairs, however, said that there has been no change in position on providing consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav and a visa to his mother.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">There has been no change in position on providing consular access &amp; visa for his mother; no progress on that front: MEA on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KulbhushanJadhav?src=hash">#KulbhushanJadhav</a> <a href="https://t.co/0e4M244Yyq">pic.twitter.com/0e4M244Yyq</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/885449825679851520">July 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced to death on charges of spying by a Pakistani military court in April.</p>

<p>India had strongly reacted to the news and served a demarche on Abdul Basit, Pakistan&#39;s high commissioner to India. India also raised the issue of denial of consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav and said that if the authorities in Pakistan carry out the execution, it will be against international norms.</p>

<p>India&#39;s foreign minister Sushma Swaraj had written a &quot;personal letter&quot; to Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan&#39;s foreign affairs chief, requesting a grant of visa to Avantika Jadhav, reported Times of India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Monday, she lashed out at his Pakistani counterpart for not even showing the courtesy to reply to her letter, the report added.</p>

<p>The International Court of Justice at The Hague had stayed the execution of Kulbhushan Jadhav in May till the time the hearing in the case gets over.</p>


India's foreign minister Sushma Swaraj, in a 'personal letter', had requested her Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz to grant AVantika Jadhav visa, reported Times of India

Pakistan is considering the request of Kulbhushan Jadhav's mother Avantika Jadhav for the grant of visa, its foreign office said. Considering giving Kulbhushan Jadhav's mother a visa on India's request says Pakistan Foreign Office: Pak media — ANI (@ANI_news) July 13, 2017 × India's ministry of external affairs, however, said that there has been no change in position on providing consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav and a visa to his mother. There has been no change in position on providing consular access & visa for his mother; no progress on that front: MEA on #KulbhushanJadhav pic.twitter.com/0e4M244Yyq — ANI (@ANI_news) July 13, 2017 × Kulbhushan Jadhav was sentenced to death on charges of spying by a Pakistani military court in April. India had strongly reacted to the news and served a demarche on Abdul Basit, Pakistan's high commissioner to India. India also raised the issue of denial of consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav and said that if the authorities in Pakistan carry out the execution, it will be against international norms. India's foreign minister Sushma Swaraj had written a "personal letter" to Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan's foreign affairs chief, requesting a grant of visa to Avantika Jadhav, reported Times of India. On Monday, she lashed out at his Pakistani counterpart for not even showing the courtesy to reply to her letter, the report added. The International Court of Justice at The Hague had stayed the execution of Kulbhushan Jadhav in May till the time the hearing in the case gets over.

Pakistan considering India's request to grant visa to Kulbhushan Jadhav's mother

<p>At least 10 Indians have been killed in a fire which engulfed a house in the Saudi Arabian city of Najran.&nbsp;Reports say the fire broke out in a windowless house.</p>

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in a tweet said: &quot;I am aware of the fire tragedy in Najran in which we have lost 10 Indian nationals and six injured are in the hospital.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;Firefighters put out a blaze in an old house where there is no ventilation (windows) resulting in the death of 11 residents and injuring six others due to smoke inhalation,&quot; the civil defence directorate said in a tweet.</p>

<p>The Najran governor has ordered a probe into the incident, the Arab News reported.</p>

<p>The Indians&nbsp;were mainly migrant workers, BBC reported.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our Consul General is in touch with the Governor of Najran. He is updating me on regular basis. /3</p>
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/885189018597511170">July 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I have spoken to Consul General Jeddah. Najran is 900 Kms from Jeddah. Our staff is rushing by the first flight available. /2</p>
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/885188290684493824">July 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am aware of the fire tragedy in Najran in which we have lost 10 Indian nationals and six injured are in the hospital. /1 <a href="https://t.co/feOTqPnn2E">https://t.co/feOTqPnn2E</a></p>
&mdash; Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/885187527484690433">July 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>In 2015, 11 people died in a blaze at a residential block housing workers for the oil giant Saudi Aramco in&nbsp;Khobar.</p>


Sushma Swaraj in a tweet said India was sending medical staff as soon as possible

At least 10 Indians have been killed in a fire which engulfed a house in the Saudi Arabian city of Najran. Reports say the fire broke out in a windowless house. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in a tweet said: "I am aware of the fire tragedy in Najran in which we have lost 10 Indian nationals and six injured are in the hospital." "Firefighters put out a blaze in an old house where there is no ventilation (windows) resulting in the death of 11 residents and injuring six others due to smoke inhalation," the civil defence directorate said in a tweet. The Najran governor has ordered a probe into the incident, the Arab News reported. The Indians were mainly migrant workers, BBC reported. Our Consul General is in touch with the Governor of Najran. He is updating me on regular basis. /3 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 12, 2017 × I have spoken to Consul General Jeddah. Najran is 900 Kms from Jeddah. Our staff is rushing by the first flight available. /2 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 12, 2017 × I am aware of the fire tragedy in Najran in which we have lost 10 Indian nationals and six injured are in the hospital. /1 https://t.co/feOTqPnn2E — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 12, 2017 × In 2015, 11 people died in a blaze at a residential block housing workers for the oil giant Saudi Aramco in Khobar.

10 Indians killed as house catches fire in Saudi Arabia

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