Pak can’t take Kashmir issue to ICJ, it can only be resolved bilaterally: Sushma

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj addressed an annual press conference of her ministry in New Delhi on Monday, and spoke on a range of issues.

On Pakistan and Kashmir

We don’t spend so much time, energy on Pakistan. For us, Pakistan is any other country. Remember three issues: we want to resolve all issues through dialogue, dialogue will be bilateral and terror and talks can’t go simultaneously.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took an out-of-the-box initiative to fly down to Lahore.

We are not going one step forward, two step backward on Pakistan.

There are no meeting scheduled between PM Modi and Nawaz Shariff in Asthana, during the forthcoming summit of the Sanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Pakistan can no way take the Kashmir issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), it can only be resolved bilaterally.

We are very clear, no third-party mediation in talks with Pakistan.

As long as the case filed in ICJ is not resolved, Kulbhushan Jadhav can’t be given capital punishment.

On China

CPEC is about sovereignty. Kashmir is integral part of India, no question of compromise.

Our policies are not to counter any country but we agree connectivity in principle. Has it been made through consultations? Did it compromise territorial integrity? We can’t accept a road through Kashmir which we consider as an integral part of India.

India will raise airspace violation in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district issue with China.

On global issues

India had signed the Paris agreement neither under any pressure nor for the lure of funds.

We did it due to our commitment. Whether the US stays or not, we will remain committed to the Paris climate deal.

The diplomatic rift in the Gulf will have no effect on our relation and agreement with Qatar.

This is an internal matter of Gulf Coordination Council. Our only concern is about Indians there. We are trying to find out if any Indians are stuck there.

Yes, concern is there (on US curbs on H1B1 visas) but there are amendments that can’t be made through executive order.

On her ministry’s achievements

80,000 people stranded abroad brought back to India in the last three years.