Terror and talks can't go together: Swaraj on India-Pak relations

New Delhi [India],Aug.3 (ANI): Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on Thursday asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a "good" friend to Pakistan until they dubbed the most wanted regional commander of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Burhan Wani as a "martyr." While speaking in Parliament, Swaraj said, "Prime Minister Modi had been such a good friend to Pakistan that he didn't even think about protocol. He stopped off in Pakistan on his way back, just because it was Nawaz Sharif's birthday. Things didn't even worsen after Pathankot attack. That happened only after Burhan Wani was killed, and Pakistan said he was 'martyred." Reiterating her take on government's road map to improve relation with Pakistan, Swaraj further noted that "terror and talks can't go together." Speaking on the issue of boycott of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Swaraj said Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is an integral part of India. "We boycotted CPEC because it was going through PoK. PoK is an integral part of India. It is a matter of India's sovereignty," she said. Earlier, then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif paid tribute to Wani, saying his death "infused a new spirit in the struggle for freedom" in the Valley. Sharif reiterated that Pakistan remains shoulder to shoulder with their Kashmiri brethren and will continue their political, diplomatic and moral support in their right to self-determination. Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had also praised Burhan Wani, saying, "Sacrifices of Burhan Wani and generations against Indian atrocities are a testimony of their resolve." Last year, India had criticised Sharif calling Wani a 'martyr'and said Islambad's terror support and sponsorship needs to be condemned by all. (ANI)