Terror and talks can't go together: India

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IANS New Delhi
Last Updated : Jun 19 2016 | 4:13 PM IST

India-Pakistan relations are "jatil" (complicated) and talks and terrorism cannot go together, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Sunday.

But she told the media that there was "sehejta" (simplicity) in the chemistry involving Prime Ministers Narendra Modi of India and Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan.

"This warmth and simplicity in relations between two Prime Ministers were never there in the past," she said.

While pursuing with the commitment for friendship, the government won't compromise on issues of national security. India, she said, remained firm in its resolve that talks and terrorism cannot go together.

The minister denied that South Asia was not getting adequate priority in the Modi government's foreign policy.

"In the last two years, India has emerged as a strong supporter and a friend in crisis to neighbouring countries," she said, referring to New Delhi's help to Nepal during the massive earthquake of 2015.

On the issue of threats to Hindus in Bangladesh, she said the Sheikh Hasina govermment had been taking adequate steps and had so far arrested as many as 3,000 suspects.

"More than that, I feel happy to say that even Islamic leaders in Bangladesh have condemned such threats to Hindus in that country," she said.

--IANS

nd/mr

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First Published: Jun 19 2016 | 4:00 PM IST

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