NEW DEHLI: India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday said that there would be no ‘third party’ involvement in Pakistan-India dialogue and there was ease and warmth in relations (on both the sides) at present.
“We have difficult issues to resolve with Pakistan,” she told a questioner without pointing out during a press conference. She said that the foreign affairs secretary-level talks between Pakistan and India have not been cancelled. “(But) India is awaiting completion of the investigation into Pathankot Airbase attack,” she said.
Sushma said that India had been looking forward to initiatives taken by Pakistan with regard to the Pathankot attack investigation. Pakistan had been asking for ‘proofs’ from India in order to take action, she said. This time, Pakistan’s attitude (with India) has been different as compared to previous instances, she said.
Sushma said that India had been trying its best for inclusion in the Nuclear Supplier’s Group (NGC). She said that India would not protest Pakistan’s entry in to the nuclear club. “We are not opposed to any country’s entrance into NSG based on merit, including Pakistan,” she said.
“China is not against India’s inclusion in Nuclear Supplier’s Group,” she said, adding that China had expressed reservations over India’s methodological approach of inclusion into the group. She said that China was only discussing the criteria procedure. “I am hopeful we will be able to convince China as well [over India’s NSG membership bid],” she said.
“I am in contact with 23 nations; one or two raised concern but I think there is consensus,” she said. “We are trying to ensure that India becomes a member of the Nuclear Supplier’s Group by the end of this year,” she said to a question. She also said that the US has considered India as a key strategic partner and better terms with the US did not mean India has snubbed Russia and China.
