Ruckus in Rajya Sabha as Sushma gives policy statement on Pakistan

New Delhi, Dec 12 External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will make a statement on her recent visit to Islamabad and developments relating to India-Pakistan ties in both the houses of parliament during the next week of the winter session, an official statement said on Saturday.

“We hope new dialogue will start a new chapter of peace and development in the region”, she said.

Sushma’s visit to Pakistan followed a briefing meeting between Nawaz Sharif and his Indian Counterpart Narendra Modi in Paris and talks between the national security advisers of both countries in Bangkok.

While she was making a statement describing her recent visit to Pakista, lawmakers from the opposition benches continued to raise slogans against the BJP-led government.

Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit, while speaking at Agenda Aaj Tak in New Delhi said, the Hurriyat represents a large section of Kashmiri people.

He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif seemed to be committed to peace with India which was positive gesture from Pakistan.

Speaking on terrorism, Basit said Pakistan is also a victim of terrorism.

“This was a demonstration of our commitment to good neighbourly ties with Pakistan, in line with our vision for peace and development in the region through deeper regional integration in South Asia”, she said.

Such talks had taken place during the UPA regime in places like Thimphu and Havana and there was no secrecy or third country involvement in these back channel talks, she added.

During the visit, Swaraj and Aziz had “condemned” terrorism and “resolved” to cooperate to eliminate it. They also stated that the two nations were prepared to discuss all outstanding issues.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday said that the 26/11 Mumbai attack issue was raised during talks with Pakistan. “We should not be linked to terror attacks”, he said.