Letters: Why leave Swaraj out?

Nivedita Mookerjee's report, "PM Modi makes 24 foreign trips, visits 42 countries, stays out 113 days" (July 13) made for some interesting reading. However, it would be naive to compare the number and duration of his foreign visits during the first 25 months of his government with those of his predecessors, Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee because of the very different situations that prevailed in the country during their time in power.

All of Modi's overseas trips has evoked a good response from the countries he visited. It's a different matter that several of these visits took place when Parliament was in session.

But Modi has creditably improved India's international image. Recent responses from the USA and some other key Western countries have been remarkable. Hats off to him for his diplomatic efforts to strengthen ties with nations, which matter to India.

However, in the midst of all this, what is intriguing is how he has sidelined External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj: he hardly ever let her accompany him on his high-profile visits. In all fairness, she should get her due. Else, her portfolio should be suitably changed and Modi himself can take over this powerful ministry, too.

Kumar Gupt, Panchkula

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