ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office has confirmed that there is no meeting scheduled to take place between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the UN general Assembly in New York.
Speaking to Dawn, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said the premier, accompanied by a small delegation, will address the United Nations General Assembly on September 26.
She said Adviser to the PM on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatimi, Foreign Secretary Azaz Ahmed, Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Jalil, Abbas Jilani and Pakistan’s Permanent Envoy to UN Ambassador Masood Khan are members of the premier’s delegation.
According to the spokesperson, the premier’s visit is only for three days, starting from September 24-26, and he will return to Islamabad from New York on September 27.
"It is not a bilateral visit; however on the sidelines of the United National General Assembly, the premier is expected to hold bilateral meetings with many world leaders," she remarked.
The spokesperson confirmed that no meeting has been planned between US President Barack Obama and PM Nawaz.
However, PM Nawaz Sharif will co-chair the UN peacekeeping summit, along with US Vice President Joe Biden and a few other world leaders.
On the other hand, Modi will have his hands full on his first official visit to the US where he is expected to carry out more than 50 engagements during his short trip.
Modi is scheduled to meet top world leaders, make a speech at the UN General Assembly, and interact with CEOs of the Fortune 500, including American business tycoon and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Modi is also scheduled to meet with top American political figures, including Obama, former US President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Indian-American South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley among many others.
Modi's engagements come as a contrast to PM Nawaz's first official visit to the US where he was only able to meet with US Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel, CIA Director John Brennan and US President Barack Obama.
Take a look: India says no plans for Modi-Sharif meeting in New York
