October 2, 2015 1:50 PM

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Talks & terror can not go together, India to Pakistan at UN

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said that India is open to dialogue with Pakistan but talks and terror can not go together. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York last night, Mrs Swaraj said that the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack is still walking free in Pakistan which is an affront to the entire international community.<br/><br/>Mrs Swaraj said that India is prepared to hold talks at the level of NSAs on all issue related to terrorism and DGMOs to address the situation on the border as agreed upon by the Prime Ministers of the two countries in Ufa this year if Pakistan's response is serious and credible.<br/><br/> Mrs Swaraj also called upon the international community to adopt the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) proposed by India in 1996 during the 70th anniversary year of the United Nations. She regretted that the issue has been entangled in the issue of definition.<br/> <br/>Mrs Swaraj also called for reforms in the United Nations Security Council to preserve the legitimacy of UN as the custodian of global peace, security and development. She said, reforms in the UN Security council is the most urgent and pressing need. She said imparting more legitimacy and balance to the Council would restore its credibility and equip it to confront the challenges of our times. She also thanked the UN for adopting the text for negotiating the issue of Security Council reforms.<br/><br/>The External Affairs Minister said that India remains committed to United Nation's peace-keeping operations and will enhance its contribution which will cover all aspects of peace-keeping. However, she expressed her concern about decision making process in the peace-keeping operations.<br/><br/>Mrs Swaraj also paid tribute to more than 3,300 peace-keepers including 161 from India who sacrificed their lives in the operations. She said India has been the largest provider of the international security by the UN with a total of 18,000 peace-keepers deployed so far. External Affairs Minister said about 8,000 Indian Military and police personnel are still deployed by UN in 10 missions working in highly challenging environments.

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