Spotlight

“Proactive, Strong & Sensitive” Govt: Sushma

New Delhi, 8 September (INFA): “Proactive, strong and sensitive” is how External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj sought to sum up her Government’s achievements at South Block in the past 100 days of being in power. Between her and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, no time has been wasted to hold bilateral talks, make visits to the neighbourhood and host leaders at home. In simple words, India sets its eyes on being a global player.  

At a briefing with the media today, she clearly sought to drive home the point that her Government was very different, read strong, as compared to the UPA: Neighbour Pakistan was given the stern message you either talk to us or talk to them (separatists), America was told we old friends but don’t spy on us (NSA spying on BJP leaders), China was told ‘like you insist on One China policy, appreciate our sensitivity of one India policy” (read change stance on Arunachal Pradesh). The tough posture, she further implied was maintained during her visit to Bangladesh, where the issue of illegal migrants’ was raised. However, she did not elaborate the steps contemplated to achieve Modi’s resolve of sending them back. 

The Minister was indeed articulate about her Government being proactive in the region and not wasting time to kickstart ‘fast track diplomacy’. On the first day in office, soon after the PM’s swearing ceremony, bilateral talks were held with leaders of SAARC and Mauritius, who had accepted the invitation. Then there was PM’s first visit to Bhutan, followed by Nepal, her visit to Myanmar fir ASEAN India Foreign Ministers meet etc.

Then came the P-5 calling—Chinese, Russian, French, UK and the US leaders holding talks with both Prime Minister and her. She also made a note of Modi’s fruitful attendance at BRICS, where he also ensured that he met leaders of 11 Latin American countries.

The Ministry has carried forward India’s “Look East Policy” with PM’s Japan visit and her’s to Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, followed by Chinese foreign minister here and of course Australian Prime Minister’s successful visit to New Delhi, among others. And, there is much hope on the Chinese premier’s visit to India and Modi’s visit to the US, for the UN general Assembly session later this month and the meeting with President Obama. We will cross the bridge when we come to it, was her curt response when asked whether Modi would be meeting Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif at the sidelines of the UNGA.

The sensitive Indian side was portrayed by India’s rescue and return operations in Iraq (bringing back over 6,000 stranded Indians home), Libya (3,000 Indian evacuated), Ukraine (facilitating return of 1000 Indians, particularly students there).

This apart, the Ministry was putting focus on the North East, by ensuring that new Passport Seva Kendras came up in every State there. Additionally, the far flung  districts across the country would have special camps to facilitate people getting passports and not having to travel to State capitals.

Last but not the least, the achievements included South Block undertaking a clean-up operation wherein officials were in office on a Saturday to contribute ‘shramdaan’ to weed out the unrequired papers, unusable and obsolete furniture, appliances/office equipment. It calls it the out-of-the box initiative. --- INFA