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Speaking at the meeting, Swaraj called for efforts to eliminate the scourge of terrorism in all its forms, without any discrimination, and to end the "ecosystem of its support". Swaraj said in the presence of Qureshi that progress in the region would not be possible without a climate of peace.
"An environment of peace and security is essential for regional cooperation to progress and achieve economic development and prosperity." The number of threats and incidents endangering South Asia is increasing. Terrorism remains the greatest threat to peace and stability in our region and indeed in the world, "she said.
Immediately after his speech, Swaraj left the meeting for, as Indian officials said, his other scheduled meetings. While she was not waiting to hear Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale stayed behind. Qureshi then told reporters, "No, I have not had any conversation with her (Swaraj) .As for the positive gesture, I can say that she left the meeting halfway, maybe she was not feeling well. "
Indian diplomatic sources said it was quite normal at a multilateral meeting to leave early after the country's declaration. The sources said Swaraj was not the first minister to leave the meeting while her counterparts from Afghanistan and Bangladesh also left before her.
Qureshi added that "the attitude of a nation makes the spirit of Saarc and that of the founding fathers of Saarc unsatisfied and unsuccessful". At Saarc's meeting, he felt that most of the members present understood the meaning and value of the group. "They want to go ahead, I can not speak for them, but I can deduce from their body language the disappointment, because if you do not move and if you do not sit and do not call meetings, How are you going forward? You talk about the SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area), you talk about regional trade, how do you regulate regional trade when you do not want to sit down and talk? When you are unable to agree on a date for a summit, where does the regional trade go? "He said.
Earlier this month, India accepted Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's proposal to hold a meeting of foreign ministers in New York, but canceled it 24 hours later, accusing Pakistan of terrorism in Kashmir.
Previously, Mr. Swaraj had expressed India's commitment to regional cooperation, saying that it placed the highest priority on the development and prosperity of the region, as part of the Government's neighborhood first and foremost. "The development of seamless physical connectivity is essential for regional growth, employment and prosperity," she said.
Swaraj attended the "informal meeting of the Saarc Council of Ministers" held here on the sidelines of the 73rd UNGA.
