Pakistan and India have poised to resume bilateral talks in New York next week, the first formal high level interaction between two nuclear-armed neighbors after a while aimed at finding ways to move forward for constructive engagements in terms of bilateral ties.
In this regard, the Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and her Indian Counterpart Sushma Swaraj will meet in the United States on the sidelines of the United Nationals General Assembly Session.
The resumption of bilateral talks followed a series of positive messages exchanged by the two Sides for normalizing the strained relations between Pakistan and India, with the latest effort on part of Prime Minister Imran Khan who wrote a letter to his Indian Counterpart Narendra Modi and called for resumption of talks for resolution of all issues.
“PM (Imran Khan) has responded to PM Modi, in a positive spirit, reciprocating his sentiments. Let’s talk and resolve all issues. We await formal response from India,” the Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said in a twitter message earlier on Thursday.
PM has responded to PM Modi, in a positive spirit, reciprocating his sentiments. Let’s talk and resolve all issues. We await formal reaponse from India.
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) September 20, 2018
Eventually acknowledged the suggestion of Prime Minister Imran Khan, India agreed to hold talks at the foreign minister-level.
“I can confirm that on the request of the Pakistani side, a meeting between EAM and Pakistani foreign minister will take place on the sidelines of the UNGA at a mutually convenient date and time,” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar was quoted as saying by Indian media.
“This is just a meeting, not talks or resumption of dialogue,” he however added.
India’s External Affairs Ministry confirms that a meeting between Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mehmood Qureshi & Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly pic.twitter.com/FTGMfWujrz
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) September 20, 2018