India wants ?good? relations with Pakistan but the neighbouring country must cease terror activities directed against it as talks will get subdued under the ?din? of bomb blasts, Sushma Swaraj said after taking charge as external affairs minister on Wednesday.
She said her priority would be to showcase India?s strengths to the world and improve relations with neighbouring countries, strategic partners, Africa, Asean member countries, Europe and others.
Swaraj, who has also been given the charge of overseas Indian affairs, is assuming the charge of the foreign ministry at a time when India?s growing international influence gives it a prominent voice in global affairs even as issues in the region keep it busy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif that if bomb blasts continue, then peace talks between the two countries would be lost in the din, the new foreign affairs minister told the media after assuming office.
?Talks and good relations can be successful and right only when terrorism is stopped. But if bomb blasts continue, then the talks will be lost in the din. This is what Narendra Modi told Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif,? she said.
She added, ?We also raised the topic of speedy trials for the 26/11 terror attack and they said they would work on it,? she said.
Terming the talks with Saarc leaders as ?successful?, she said: ?The prime minister told leaders that we should leave the contentious bilateral issues to the concerned parties and come together in a united way.?
