Stop cross-border terrorism

and then we'll talk, Sushma

Swaraj tell Pakistan
TNN | Nov 28, 2018, 03.27 PM IST

HYDERABAD: Union external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj

on Wednesday declared that there would be no talks with
Pakistan unless cross border terrorism is stopped by that
country. “Terror and talks do not go together,” she said
emphatically. Sushma Swaraj is in Hyderabad in connection
with the BJP’s campaign for the Telangana polls.

In an interaction with the media, Sushma Swaraj also

emphatically said India would not respond to Pakistan’s
invitation to participate in the Saarc meeting in that country.
“We have decided not to respond. We cannot do that unless
terror strikes stop in India,” she said.

The opening of the Khartapur corridor by Pakistan cannot be

described as a peace initiative. “The Government of India had
been asking for that for 20 years and for the first time
Pakistan responded positively to this. But that does not mean
bilateral diaologue will begin only on this. Terror and talks
don’t go together,” she said.
“The moment Pakistan stops terrorists activities in India,
dialogue can start but the dialogue cannot start only with
Khartarpur corridor.

Sushma Swaraj said for any peace dialogue to take place

between India and Pakistan, that country should stop sending
terrorists into India. “What makes you think Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and I have different opinions on it?” she shot
back to a question on whether she shared Modi’s opinion on
not engaging in talks with Pakistan.

“There will be no talks with Pakistan and India will not attend
the SAARC summit. Our stance is clear,” she said.

Sushma Swaraj explained that she had visited Pakistan in the

past and an initiative for peace had begun. “But how does
explain explain what happened in Pathankot and other
places? Terrorists were sent from across the border,” she
said.