After Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan’s request, India, on Thursday, agreed to a meeting between Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers in New York on the sidelines of the UN General assembly next week, NDTV reported.
“It is a meeting, not a resumption of dialogue,” asserted foreign ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. “We have just agreed to the meeting. The agenda is not finalized,” Kumar said.
The government, however, rejected Imran Khan’s proposal for a SAARC summit in Pakistan, saying the atmosphere is not conducive.
“Let’s distinguish between a meeting and a dialogue. This doesn’t change our stance on terrorism,” said Mr. Kumar.
Imran Khan, who took charge as Pakistan’s prime minister last month, had written to Modi asking that India and Pakistan resume dialogue that has been suspended since 2015. In the letter addressing the PM as “Modi Sahab”, Imran Khan also suggested a meeting between the foreign ministers and said Pakistan “remains ready” to discuss terrorism.
He further said that the foreign ministers could explore the way forward, adding that the SAARC Summit in Islamabad “will offer an opportunity for you to visit Pakistan and for us to re-start the stalled dialogue process.”
