In her address at the United Nations General Assembly, Sushma Swaraj took on Pakistan on the issue of terrorism. She told the world's nations that all India has got in response for its peace overtures were cross border attacks. She also took up the issue of human rights violations in Balochistan.
It was a rebuttal of an earlier address at the UNGA by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in which he praised Burhan Wani, the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist who killing triggered the fresh round of violence in Kashmir. Under the UNGA’s right to reply, after Mr. Sharif’s address, the Indian diplomatic mission at the UN had then called the neighbouring country the “Ivy League of terror”.
Here are the updates from her speech at the UNGA in New York:
7:28: Ms. Swaraj ends her speech with a call for reform of the U.N. Security council
7.27: The CCIT was proposed by India in 1996. In 2016, despite the passage of two decades, we are yet to come to a conclusion. As a result, we are unable to develop a norm under which terrorists shallbe prosecuted or extradited. Therefore it is my appeal that this General Assembly acts with fresh resolve and urgency to adopt this critical Convention.
7.24: And what did we get in return? Pathankot, Bahadur Ali, and Uri. Bahadur Ali is a terrorist in our custody, whose confession is a living proof of Pakistan’s complicity in cross-border terror. But when confronted with such evidence, Pakistan remains in denial. It persistsin the belief that such attacks will enable it to obtain the territory it covets. My firm advice to Pakistan is: abandon this dream. Let me state unequivocally that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and will always remain so.
>#WATCH : "Kashmir is an integral part of India, and will always be. Pakistan should stop dreaming", says EAM Sushma Swaraj at >#UNGA>pic.twitter.com/1OYsdks4vf
— ANI (@ANI_news) >September 26, 2016
7.22: The Prime Minister of Pakistan also said that India has placed pre-conditions for talks which are not acceptable to him. What pre-conditions?... Did we impose any pre-condition before extending an invitation for the oath-taking ceremony of our Government? We took the initiative to resolve issues not on the basis of conditions, but on the basis of friendship! We conveyed Eid greetings to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, wished success to his cricket team, extended good wishes for his health andwell being. Did all this come with pre-conditions attached?
7.22: On 21st September, the Prime Minister of Pakistan used this podium to make baseless allegations about human rights violations in my country. I can only say that those accusing others of human rights violations would do well to introspect and see what egregious abuses they are perpetrating in their own country, including in Balochistan. The brutality against the Baloch people represents the worst form of State oppression.
7.21: In our midst, there are nations that still speak the language of terrorism, that nurture it, peddle it, and export it. To shelter terrorists has become their calling card. We must identify these nations and hold them to account. Such countries should have no place in the comity of nations.
7.20: We must acknowledge that terrorism is undoubtedly the biggest violation of human rights. It targets the innocent and killsindiscriminately. Terrorism has gone way beyond affectingindividuals or nations – it is a crime against humanity itself. But it is important to ask - who is behind this and who benefits from it?Terrorists do not own banks or weapons factories, so let us ask the real question: who finances these terrorists, who arms them and provides sanctuaries?
7.19: Let me now turn to a subject of the most critical importance, one which deeply concerns every member of this Assembly. This monthwe marked the 15th Anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on this city. Tragically, less than 15 days ago, another attempt at killing innocents was made through an act of terror in this same city. We,who have suffered in Uri recently, understand the pain inflicted by the same forces.
7.18: I assure this Assembly that India will continue to play a leading role in combating climate change. We have decided to submit our Instrument of Ratification of the Paris Agreement on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi who epitomised a lifestyle with the smallest carbon footprint.
7.17: India has launched an ambitious domestic effort to transform our energy mix to achieve 40% energy from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
7.16: Yoga, the storehouse of India’s ancient wisdom, epitomises a sustainable lifestyle. Let me record our gratitude for the unprecedented global response to the International Day of Yoga.
7.15: Climate change is yet another serious challenge confronting us. There are enough resources on this planet to fulfil everyone’s needs, but not enough to fulfil anyone’s greed, for greed is limitless. In this context PM Modi has championed a new concept – Climate Justice.
7.14: We are all aware that 1/6th of humanity lives in India. Therefore global success in realizing SDGs depends on the success achieved in India. We are committed to the wholehearted implementation of the Agenda 2030 as a national effort.
We have decided to dedicate one day in each session of our Parliament for discussions only on SDGs. This will enable us to constantly monitor their progress and this will give us good results.
7.12: I am happy that the 17 goals adopted by this Assembly are matched by the development vision of my Government, which is geared towards the achievement of these same objectives. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Campaign), more than 400,000 toilets have been constructed in schools. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Educate the Girl Child, Save the Girl Child) programme has become a nation-wide mission.
7.10: " The true challenge of our time is to end the curse of harsh poverty that still lurks in so many corners of our world; to ensure that the fruits of growing prosperity reach those who need it most; to take forward the mission of gender equality and protect women where there is gender regression; and to ensure peace across boundaries, not least because there can be no prosperity without peace," says Ms. Swaraj.
7.08: Ms Swaraj begins by thanking Secretary General Ban Ki Moon for his services to the United Nations,history’s largest peace movement.
