27 November 2016

MEA Says Talks And Terror Can’t Go Together, Environment Has To Be Terror-Free

24 Nov, 2016

Official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Vikas Swarup spoke to the press today as part of his weekly media briefing.

Here are the highlights.

- We expect early repatriation and safe return of Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan, who inadvertently crossed the Line of Control (LoC) over seven weeks ago.

- MEA called in Pakistan’s deputy high commissioner yesterday (23 November) and issued a démarche, the fourth one this month on continued ceasefire violations from the other side of LoC.

- Government has conveyed concerns at continued attempts to infiltrate armed terrorists from across the LoC. In the last week, there were 15 such instances.

- On the possibility of bilateral talks with Pakistan during the Heart of Asia Conference, Vikas Swarup said, “Not ruling out or ruling in anything, but not in position to confirm. Talks and terror can't go together. Environment has to be terror-free for talks to take place.”

- Internationalising the Kashmir issue has borne no fruit, Pakistan would be advised to first end state support to terror, said Vikas Swarup when asked about the committee formed by Pakistan to engage Indians.

- Government has protested the deliberate targeting by Pakistan Army of 18 villages along the LoC during 16-21 November. These violent acts constitute a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement of 2003.

- The external affairs minister will not be attending the Heart of Asia Conference which is set to take place in Amritsar, Punjab.

- Indian foreign secretary visited the United States for regular consultation, interacted with very senior leaders from the Trump administration earlier this month.

- India has provided $10 million in aid to Mozambique to deal with the food shortage there.

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