No such place as ‘Indian-occupied Kashmir', Sushma Swaraj tells Kashmiri student who sought her help

Sushma Swaraj is known to be a hands-on minister and very active on the social media.

File photo (PTI)

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday told a Kashmiri student, who sought her help and who is currently residing in Philippines, that there was no such place as 'Indian-occupied Kashmir'.

The student, Sheikh Ateek, had tweeted Swaraj for help regarding his passport, saying, “I am from J&K doing medicine course here in Philippines, my passport got damaged, I applied for new one month ago, I request you to please help me get it as I literally need to go home for medical check-up." He had tagged Swaraj in his tweet.

Incidentally, his profile said that he is from 'Indian-occupied Kashmir' and the EAM reminded him that no such place existed. "If you are from J&K state, we will definitely help you. But your profile says you are from 'Indian occupied Kashmir'. There is no place like that," she said.

Later, the student corrected the description and then his account was found to be deleted. Swaraj acknowledged the change in description and then directed the authorities to help him. “I am happy that you have corrected the profile. Jaideep, he is an Indian national from J&K. Please help him,” she tweeted.

If you are from J&K state, we will definitely help you. But your profile says you are from 'Indian occupied Kashmir'. There is no place like that. @indembmanila https://t.co/Srzo7tfMSx — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 10, 2018

1. @SAteEQ019 - I am happy you have corrected the profile.

2. Jaideep - He is an Indian national from J&K. Pls help him. @indembmanila https://t.co/rArqxIQoN3 — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 10, 2018

Swaraj is known to be a hands-on minister and very active on the social media. More often than not, anyone seeking her help at any time of the day or night, gets a quick response from her.

In January 2018, Swaraj had announced that she will 'personally monitor' Indian embassies' responses to requests for help and it is due to her efforts that legitimate problems of Indian citizens at home and abroad is being addressed regularly. 

For her ability to reach out, Swaraj has earned monikers such as the 'supermom of the state' and the 'common tweeple’s leader'. She was also included in Foreign Policy magazine's list 'for fashioning a novel brand of Twitter diplomacy' and has been in the list of 100 global thinkers.