External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said 80 thousand people stranded in abroad were successfully brought back to India in last three years. Briefing media on the achievements of her Ministry during three years of NDA rule, Mrs Swaraj said the Ministry has ensured security of Indians living abroad. She added that Indian missions are playing proactive role in attracting FDI bringing and there has been a record 37.5 percent increase in FDI in last three years. She said many citizen-centric decisions have been taken and simplification of passport rules is one of them.
The Minister said India’s stature has improved significantly in the comity of nations during last three years. She said India has good relations with both Israel and Palestine, which do not see eye to eye. She stressed that India will not let down the Palestinian cause at any cost, and Israel also knows this.
Replying to a query, Mrs Swaraj said India’s ratification of the Paris Climate Deal was for no greed for money, or pressure from any country. She said New Delhi was neither under pressure nor did it benefit in terms of money but is simply committed to the environment.
On the H1B visa issue, the Minister said there is concern but there are many amendments that can not be made through executive order. She said however, there is no change in visa cap but India is worried about the changes and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will raise the issue when he visits the US.
