Strongest rebuttal

Never before had any Indian Foreign Minister’s address at the United Nations General Assembly attracted so much attention from the media and people alike. This is not without reason.

The ghastly incidents of violence and the grotesque claims of our hostile neighbour on Kashmir created the right setting for India’s strongest rebuttal. Sushma Swaraj has eloquently pooh-poohed Pakistan’s claims, unravelling its true character.

Swaraj asserted in no uncertain terms that Kashmir was, is and will be an integral part of India. It has always been the position of India that Kashmir’s accession was complete and irreversible. The only unfinished agenda is to regain the lost territories in Pakistan now described as Pak Occupied Kashmir (POK).

Pak should realise that in the modern epoch, it is not possible to take away even an inch of Indian territory. India is and shall steadfastly oppose any international mediation in Kashmir including that of United Nations. Pak’s reference to UN resolutions is simply anachronistic.

India has time and again expressed its willingness to hold bilateral talks with Pakistan. Any such negotiations should be a composite dialogue but not exclusively on Kashmir. But, as Sushma Swaraj rightly emphasised, Pakistan returned India’s gesture of friendship with terror.

India has also launched a diplomatic offensive when Sushma Swaraj urged the international body to isolate terror–sponsor, Pakistan. It’s in the global interests for UN to listen to India’s brawny appeal as Sushma said, “these malevolent forces are yet to be defeated.”

Terrorism is a crime against humanity. India has posed a few poignant but very pertinent questions to the international community to ponder over. Who is behind terrorism? Who benefits from it? Who finances these terrorists as they do not own banks or weapons factories? Who arms them? Who provides sanctuaries?

Obviously referring to Pakistan, Sushma said those who seed extremist ideologies, reap a bitter harvest. However, this wisdom should reach even the domestic fringe elements that patronise such deviant ideologies in the name of national pride.

The true character of Pakistan was unravelled before the global leaders when she said, “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 ground.”

Exposing the duplicity of the world powers on the issue of fighting terrorism, she rightly commented, “We will not be able to win against terrorism by making specious distinction between terrorists who attack you and those who attack me. “The big powers should realise as we do not know who this Frankenstein monster will devour next.”

Sushma made a fervent appeal on climate change, too, which is causing extreme weather events. It’s true environmental challenges cannot be effectively met through national efforts alone. The global community has to pool its resources.

Swaraj has rightly pointed out to the world, especially the affluent part of the globe, that, “our responsibilities are common, obligations are different.” The world has to wake up to its obligations on issues ranging from environment to terrorism.