War not an option to settle differences: Sushma

Putting across India’s foreign policy, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, “War is not an option before India to settle differences...”

Replying to a five-hour debate on ‘India’s foreign policy and engagement with strategic partners’ in the Rajya Sabha, in the context of the ongoing Doklam stand-off, Swaraj said only dialogues through diplomatic channels could solve problems between countries.

New Delhi, she added, would continue to engage with China to solve the differences. Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said India had urged China not to turn the differences between the two countries into disputes.

On Pakistan, she said the Centre had initiated ‘comprehensive bilateral dialogues’, and the External Affairs Ministers of the two countries met. In fact, when the Pathankot terrorist attacks happened, Pakistan did not deny the role of terrorists from its soil and was ready to cooperate with India in the probe, she said, adding that “issues” started only when Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif hailed Hizbul commander Burhan Wani (who was killed in an encounter) as a “freedom fighter”.

Without naming Rahul Gandhi, she said the Opposition was more keen to talk to Chinese Embassy officials than to contact the Centre for its position on the Doklam stand-off.

Earlier, a combined Opposition attacked the Centre and said India stands isolated in the neighbourhood — a claim Swaraj denied.

Initiating the debate, Congress’ deputy leader Anand Sharma said that “unless we manage our neighbours correctly, it would be difficult or rather impossible to play a major role globally.

“What is your roadmap? There is no stability in your policy. It keeps changing. First you say we will talk and then you stop the talks.”

“We engage with one country, but that should not be at the expense of India’s partnership with another country. Though two big world powers may have their own differences, we should ensure that we engage with both of them. Whether it is Russia or America, Germany or France, South Africa or Brazil, we must ensure that strategic balance,” he said.

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said the Centre had not placed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with the US in Parliament.

Quoting the agreement, which was discussed in the US Senate, he said India is now a “junior partner” of the US.

JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav accused the Modi government of veering away from the non-aligned movement.