War is not a solution, border stand-off with China can be resolved through talks: Sushma Swaraj

NEW DELHI: External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said war was not a solution to the Dokalam standoff and advocated dialogue and patience, instead of rhetoric, in a couched snub to Beijing. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday on India’s foreign policy, Swaraj also criticised Congress vicepresident Rahul Gandhi for seeking information from the Chinese envoy on the Dokalam standoff and alleged India’s foreign relations were spoiled when Congress was in power.

Referring to Gandhi’s meeting with Chinese envoy, the minister said she was disappointed to know that the leader of biggest Opposition party sought information from the other country and not from the Indian government. Taking a jibe at Jawaharlal Nehru, Swaraj said that while the first PM of India gained respect at an individual level, PM Modi has gained respect worldwide.

Responding to Opposition’s attacks, Swaraj said the government is not just working to find a solution to the Dokalam standoff but to improve the bilateral relations with China. “Dokalam par negotiate nahi kar rahe keval,hum bilateral relations par baat kar rahe hain China ke saath. Hal usi se niklega,” she said.


“War cannot be a solution to any problem. Even after war we need to talk to find a solution. Wisdom is to resolve issues diplomatically.” Swaraj also countered Chinese arguments on 1890 convention between China and British India relating to Tibet and Sikkim.

She said: “We have noted that the Chinese side has selectively quoted parts of Nehru’s letter of 22nd March, 1959, pertaining to boundary in the Sikkim sector. A full and accurate account of that letter would have also brought out Nehru’s assertion that was clearly based on the boundary alignment as shown in our Indian published maps.”

On Pakistan, Swaraj clearly stated that India’s roadmap visa-vis Pakistan is clear — that terror and talks cannot go together.