'Terror and talks cannot go together,' says Sushma Swaraj

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday said India has held covered ministerial-level talks with 186 countries out of all the 192 countries present at the United Nations. Sushma Swaraj was speaking after releasing a book on MEA achievements in the last four years. Union Minister of State VK Singh and MJ Akbar were present at Jawahar Lal Nehru Bhawan, New Delhi.

Sushma Swaraj said, "I was surprised to hear that there were so many countries that our leaders didn't go to. When we formed our government, we thought that we will cover all the 192 countries present at the UN, for ministerial-level talks. And, we have covered 186 countries already."

About talks with Pakistan, Swaraj said, "We never said we are not ready for talks, but there is a caveat. Terror and talks cannot go together, be it post elections (Pakistan general elections scheduled for July 25) or even before. Jab seema par janaze uth rahe hon,to baatcheet ki awaaz acchi nahi lagti."

"90,000 people from Indian community have been rescued from various places. In his visits to many countries, PM has saved many people from severe punishments. Today, Indians living overseas are living peacefully," said Swaraj on being asked about the success of rescue operations abroad.

She further said that diplomacy for development and we have made this happen, adding till February 2018, 14 lakh crore investment has come to India.