City
Epaper

Pakistan for talks with India on equality: Qureshi

By IANS | Updated: June 15, 2019 16:20 IST

Pakistan wants talks with India on the "basis of equality" and in a "dignified manner" and has said it's up to New Delhi to decide whether it wants to engage with Islamabad to reconcile issues.

Open in App

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said this while confirming the exchange of pleasantries between Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi here on Friday on the sidelines of the 19th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

"Yes, the meeting did take place. There was a handshake and exchange of pleasantries," Qureshi told Geo News in Kyrgyzstan's capital.

He, however, accused the Indian government of still "being in the election mindset". "Pakistan has said what it has to. India has not come out of its election mindset and the extreme position they had taken to influence their constituency and to keep their vote bank intact. It's still confined in that," said Qureshi.

"India has to make this decision. We are neither in haste, nor troubled. When India prepares itself, it would find us prepared. But we will hold talks on the basis of equality, in a dignified manner," Qureshi said.

Stating that neither we (Pakistan) need to run after anyone, nor to demonstrate stubbornness, he said, "Pakistan's approach is realistic and well thought-out."

Tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad escalated after the February Pulwama terror attack, claimed by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

The exchange of pleasantries between Khan and Modi was the first such event between the two Prime Ministers amidst the chill in bilateral relations.

It has come after Khan and Qureshi wrote letters to Modi seeking revival of talks.

( With inputs from IANS )

Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalPM Modi meets Mexico, South Korea leaders on G7 sidelines in Canada

InternationalPM Modi arrives at Kananaskis lodge for G7 Summit

Other SportsHarshit Rana links up with team India for first Test in Leeds

NationalMP: Congress workers clash during ‘Sangathan Srijan’ meeting in Bhopal

NationalBengal: Two more accused arrested in Murshidabad violence case

International Realted Stories

InternationalPM Modi arrives in Kananaskis to attend his sixth G7 Summit amid global turmoil

InternationalVisit will help India find favourable FTA with EU: Envoy Goel on PM's visit to Croatia

International"India's measured, restrained response through Op Sindoor appreciated by all Croatians": Indian Envoy Arun Goel

InternationalIndia walks diplomatic tightrope amid escalating Iran-Israel tensions: Wing Commander Praful Bakshi

International"We now have complete, total control of skies over Iran": Donald Trump