India’s Minister for External Affairs on Wednesday defended the country’s continued diplomatic presence in North Korea, speaking during a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Delhi.

Responding to a question from press regarding India’s diplomatic and trade relations with the DPRK amid an ongoing U.S. pressure campaign, Sushma Swaraj said the arrangement helped facilitate continued communication between the two countries.

“I have told Secretary (sic) Tillerson that some of your friendly nations must have an embassy there in North Korea for any possible communication,” Swaraj said in Hindi, according to a translation by local press,