Transfer of power in India always by ballot, not bullet: Sushma Swaraj

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday said that in the 70 years of democratic history of India, the transfer of power has not been done by the bullet, but always by the ballot.

"In the 70 years of democratic history of India, the transfer of power has not been done by the bullet, but always by the ballot," Sushma Swaraj said at the 'India at 70' event in Kathmandu.

The External Affairs Minister also wished Nepal for its democratic development.

"The Democratic system has reached Nepal. We all wish for its success. We wish for Nepal's development; we will contribute and support to this. 'Sabka saath, sabka vikas' is for whole region," she added.

Swaraj, earlier in the day, said that India will be hosting the Bay of Bengal Initiatives for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Disaster Management Exercise in October this year.

Speaking about the outcome of the first meeting of BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs in New Delhi this year, she said a holistic approach was adopted to tackle traditional and non-traditional security challenges, which threaten the region.

"We worked out collective strategies to counter the scourge of terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crimes, as also to strengthen our maritime and cyber security cooperation. Specific follow-up measures in these areas are now under progress," she said.

Two-day ministerial meeting of the BIMSTEC started here yesterday.