External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj asserted that the NDA government’s foreign policy is “very successful” by India having connected with 101 countries in the past one year. She attributed the 39% growth in FDI in India, as the direct result of the government’s foreign policy. “Government’s foreign policy is based on three pillars of ‘sampark, samvad and parinam’ (contact, dialogue, and results). In one year, we have connected with 101 countries,” Swaraj said.
While asking about being low profile, she said, "As far as low profile is concerned, this is what goes to my profile. Prime Minister has not imposed any restrictions on anyone so why will he put it on me. But why you feel that I am low profile is because I have become External Affairs Minister from the position of Leader of Opposition. In LoP's profile, I had to speak everyday. But as Foreign Minister, my opinion is that I should not speak on domestic issues. Because when the Foreign Minister speaks, it is not his/her personal opinion or party's but country's opinion. Therefore, a foreign Minister should not speak. So I decided that the profile I have got, I should not speak and I follow that.”
Swaraj clarified that there is no competition between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and her over foreign visits. “A pro-active PM is a support, not a challenge,” she added that she keeps a “low profile” because she believes that it “goes with her role”. “There is never a competition between the team members for number one, two or three. The team plays together.”
On ties with Pakistan, the minister said, “Our dialogue with Pakistan will only materialize in a peaceful milieu. This zone will be created only when Pakistan takes action against the (terror) perpetrators like Lakhvi and others. We are ready to resolve all in a peaceful manner through dialogue. The dialogue will be between two sides, no third party will be there or present in the talks and talks cannot be held in the shadow of violence and terrorism, only in the atmosphere of goodwill. There is no change in our policy, no flip-flop. We have told this to Pakistan always.
Regarding Teesta River water-sharing deal, she said, “There will be no deal on Teesta this time during the coming visit, because we have to take the West Bengal government also on board for this.”
By Premji
