Sushma draws praise from political quarters for her 'well-articulated speech' at UNGA

New Delhi [India], Sept. 27 (ANI): As External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj concluded her speech at the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) yesterday; Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated her for "effective and well-articulated speech" covering wide range of issues. Prime Minister Modi took to his official twitter account to congratulate Swaraj saying, "Congrats to EAM @SushmaSwaraj for a firm, effective & fine articulation of a wide range of global issues at #UNGA (sic)." Apart from the Prime Minister, Union Ministers Venkaiah Naidu, Piyush Goyal, BJP chief Amit Shah, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, all of them extended their compliments through their twitter handles. "Congratulations to EAM @SushmaSwaraj for effectively articulating nation's sentiment on terrorism at #UNGA," Amit Shah tweeted. "Sushma Swaraj made it clear that there will be no compromise on Jammu & Kashmir which is an integral part of India. It was extraordinary to hear about path breaking programs of @narendramodi govt like @_DigitalIndia @makeinindia @SwachhBharatGov at @UN," Ravi Shankar Prasad tweeted. "Congrats to @SushmaSwaraj ji for placing India's views on two most critical global issues - Terrorism and Climate Change before the #UNGA," Piyush Goyal tweeted. "Hats off @SushmaSwaraj ji for extremely putting forth India's point of view &Exposing Pakistan's evil Designs in such a Brilliant Manner. We should feel extremely proud of our External Affairs minister Smt @SushmaSwaraj. Pakistan totally exposed (sic)," M Venkaiah Naidu tweeted. "Sushma ji presented India's viewpoint very well at UNGA. Congratulations to her," Arvind Kejriwal tweeted. Speaking at the 71st session of the UNGA in New York, Swaraj highlighted progress in various welfare schemes implemented by the Government of India, which is in tune with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) adopted by most of the member states of the UN. "Under the 'Swachh Bharat Mission', more than 4, 00, 000 toilets have been constructed in schools; 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' (Educate the Girl Child, Save the Girl Child) programme has become a nation-wide mission; 'Make in India' is receiving international acclamation; under the Jan Dhan Yojana, almost 250 million bank accounts have been opened for the poor, making it the world's largest financial inclusion programme; 'Digital India' is transforming the country; and under the 'Skill India' programme, a number of skilling programmes are underway for the youth to enable us to reap the demographic dividend." She pointed out that in the Paris Agreement, the principle of 'Common but Differentiated Responsibilities' and 'Respective Capabilities' has been acknowledged and accepted, while adding that India has launched an ambitious domestic effort to transform its energy mix to achieve 40 percent energy from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. She later turned her focus towards combating terrorism and the need to adopt the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), proposed by New Delhi since 1996, which aims to extradite and prosecute terrorists. Swaraj also stressed on the need to expand the membership of the UN Security Council to reflect on contemporary realities. "Whether it is institutions or issues, we must come to terms with present day realities and the challenges that confront us. An expansion in the Permanent and non-Permanent membership of the Council to reflect on contemporary realities is therefore, an urgent necessity. We must move forward substantively towards text-based negotiations. Swaraj, while criticising Pakistan for creating unrest in Kashmir, asserted that Kashmir valley is an integral part of India She also criticised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for accusing India of "committing brutalities in the Kashmir Valley" and for hailing Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani as "young leader." (ANI)