New York: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is set to give a befitting response to Pakistan in the aftermath of the dastardly terror attacks in Uri as she addresses the UN General Assembly on Monday evening. EAM Swaraj is expected to deliver a stinging response to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's speech last week in which he had focused on Kashmir and glorified slain Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani.
Swaraj, who arrived in New York on Saturday, is expected to speak after 7:20 pm (India time) today. Here is why EAM Sushma Swaraj's speech is important.
Isolating Pakistan on terrorism
Swaraj's speech is expected to take forward India's effort to diplomatically isolate Pakistan after terrorists from that country attacked an Army base in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri, killing 18 soldiers last week. India will not forget Uri, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in a strong message to Pakistan over the weekend, warning, "The sacrifice of our 18 soldiers will not be forgotten. We will ensure that the international community works to isolate you." He accused Pakistan of exporting terror and its leaders of reading out "speeches written by terrorists."
In its Right of Reply to Sharif's 20-minute speech at the UNGA, India called Pakistan home to the "Ivy League of Terrorism" and a "terrorist state" that commits "war crimes" by using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.
Outlining India's focus for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, India's envoy to the UN Syed Akbaruddin had said that terrorism is the "primary concern" for India as well as for nations across the world. The EAM is likely to prove before the world that India is a victim of terrorism that is emanating from across its borders and threatening peace in South Asia.
Diplomacy over war
Though the government is fully aware of the anger in the masses and the rising anti-Pakistan sentiments after the Uri attacks, it is highly unlikely that India will fall into the trap of sounding the war bugle. Prime Minister Modi also gave an indication in this regard through his speech in Kozhikode last week, where he said that India is not going to plunge South Asia into another war. PM Modi appears to have made this statement after assessing what India might lose in the event of a war with hostile Pakistan. Hence, India's response will expectedly be on these lines - 'We are ready for war' and 'War against terrorism' etc.
Rights violations in Balochistan
In a bid to counter Pakistan, EAM Sushma Swaraj is likely to highlight the incidents of massive human rights violations in Balochistan, Gilgit and PoK. Through Sushma Swaraj, New Delhi would attempt to nullify any negative propaganda from the Pakistanis on Kashmir by showing them the mirror on Balochistan. After PM Modi's open support for Balochistan, EAM Swaraj is expected to take India's Baloch agenda forward, thus explaining the rational behind its decision to grant political asylum to Brahmdagh Bugti.
No talks till Pak acts on terror
India is likely to stick to its policy of ''no talks'' until Pakistan gives concrete evidence of its commitment to eliminate terror from its backyard. EAM Swaraj is expected to give a stern response to Nawaz Sharif's speech last week during which he said that India was imposing unnecessary pre-conditions for dialogue. Sushma is expected to reiterate that India's only condition for talks is to end terrorism.
No compromise on Kashmir
During today's speech, EAM Swaraj is expected to once again reiterate before the international community Kashmir will always remain nan integral part of India and there can be no compromise on it. However, Swaraj is also expected to put up a strong defence over the past 80 days of unrest in Kashmir, which led to several unfortunate deaths in the Kashmir Valley.
EAM Swaraj is expected to put the blame for triggering unrest on Pakistan-backed separatist leaders, who have time and again refused to toe India's line on Kashmir. The EAM will also not forget to mention before the world how Pakistan continues to glorify terrorists taking cue from Nawaj Sharif's speech in which he had called slain militant Burhan Wani as a young civilian leader.
India in UNSC
During her speech at the 71st UNGA, EAM Sushma Swaraj is likely to make a strong pitch for India's inclusion in the UN Security Council to join the global fight against the global menace of terrorism.
