Pak, India foreign ministers to hold meeting on sidelines of UNGA: Indian MEA

Dawn.com Published September 20, 2018

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj will meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York later this month, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs' spokesperson on Thursday.

Earlier this month, Indian PM Narendra Modi, in his a communique to Prime Minister Imran Khan, had stated that he seeks "meaningful and constructive" engagement between the two neighbours.

In reciprocation, PM Khan recently reached out to the Indian premier, officially extending the offer to resume peace talks.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed PM Khan's approach today, with its spokesperson Raveesh Kumar saying: "The letter we have received was a response to that letter which was handed over to us by Pakistan's High Commissioner to India on Sept 17.

"Another letter was handed over from Pakistani FM to our external affairs minister, basically reiterating the PM of Pakistan's proposal for a meeting between the external affairs minister and the Pakistani FM.

"I can confirm that on the request of the Pakistani side, a meeting between the external affairs minister and the Pakistani foreign minister will take place on the sidelines of the UNGA at a mutually convenient date and time."

He, however, stressed that the planned meeting should not be misconstrued as a dialogue.

"I must differentiate between meeting and a dialogue," said the Indian official. "This is a meeting and not dialogue. This is a meeting which we have agreed to, based on a request which we have got from the Pakistani side."

During yesterday's weekly briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Faisal had confirmed that PM Khan has written a letter to Indian PM Modi, calling for the resumption of the peace dialogue between the two countries.

"PM has responded to PM Modi, in a positive spirit, reciprocating his sentiments," shared Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal on Twitter, without specifying whether the communication was via a letter. "Let’s talk and resolve all issues. We await formal response from India."

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Dilruba

Sep 20, 2018 05:02pm

Walk the Talk, Talk for next seventy years

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Sep 20, 2018 05:10pm

Good news, but will new talks be fruitful and help to resolve Kashmir and other disputed issues? Let's hope for better!

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Babu

Sep 20, 2018 05:42pm

It has always been back to square one as soon as you come out of the meeting. These meetings are total waste of Time and Money.

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huma yousaf

Sep 20, 2018 05:47pm

talks and talks and talks!!!

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Right voice

Sep 20, 2018 05:58pm

Talking is no use. India and Pakistan are symbiotic twins and going to be entangled forever.

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Tabdeli Agae

Sep 20, 2018 06:02pm

Good to see change in attitude. Now India realizes, its not business as usual. Regardless of friendship with big guys, one still has to get along with neighbours. Thanks to Almighty, people of Pakistan are united as a nation and fully determined to work hard and improve aspects of life in the country. A loud and clear message to all big and small countries, don't take Pakistan for granted anymore. Going forward 'Mutual Respect' is the only way. Nothing for nothing.

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CHELFLS

Sep 20, 2018 06:04pm

It is really great that atleast we are talking about peace. A mutual respect and trust in border can be the progressive path. Open Waha type 1000 centres all along the borders.

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Aurora

Sep 20, 2018 06:18pm

Foreign policy will be a litmus test for IK's hold on it.

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Disappointing

Sep 20, 2018 06:36pm

Meeting but not dialogue....sums up all the sincerity.

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Alok

Sep 20, 2018 06:38pm

Time pass. Boring talks and talks to ensure diplomats get their salary.

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Shah

Sep 20, 2018 06:42pm

I really hope the both ministers can address the media after the meeting in a positive tone without blame games. We need to work together to avoid nuclear war, become friends and give relief to the Kashmiris. Let bygones be bygones and look to the future in co-operation.

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Gly mendon

Sep 20, 2018 06:46pm

@Tabdeli Agae Dont you understand English, Pakistan requested meeting, understand the context better.

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AKB

Sep 20, 2018 06:51pm

Indian spokesperson Raveesh Kumar stressed that the planned meeting should not be misconstrued as a dialogue. I think they are totally confused and sending confused messages. One can,t make out as to whether they are interested in meaningful dialogue or bluffing their own people.

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Magnanimous approach

Sep 20, 2018 06:51pm

What a funny, diplomatic terminology, they’ll talk in sidelines. Living next to each other why can’t they come without tantrum and talk.

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zia

Sep 20, 2018 06:52pm

Waste of time.

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Sastry

Sep 20, 2018 06:57pm

India will not budge from its known position that aJ&K is an integral part of India and Pakistan that it is extending moral support to JK freedom fighters. Both will stick to their stands. Deadlock will continue. Maybe we will become more civil and there will be less border violations. Let us hope things and relations will improve.

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Feroz

Sep 20, 2018 06:57pm

Meeting has been set up but it seems based on the meeting outcome it will be decided whether a dialogue can be initiated. This is my understanding.

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anand

Sep 20, 2018 07:04pm

Do more.

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Brijesh Kumar

Sep 20, 2018 07:11pm

What did Nawaz do wrong when he approached India with same intentions????

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Mahmud

Sep 20, 2018 07:27pm

@Babu Mr Imran Khan should read the results of such talks in the past—zero. When the Indians expect an aggressive approach from Pakistan , they want to “ talk”. After the issue has been cooled down , they ignore everything. PM should lay down straight everything in the UN.

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Miriyam

Sep 20, 2018 07:38pm

Am waiting for our foreign office to deny they wrote the letter!!

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Indian

Sep 20, 2018 07:53pm

@AKB meeting not dialogue means this is not mean India ready for the previously said comprehensive bilateral dialogue agreed bw two. Indias policy is that terror and dialogue can not go together. Unless Pak doest not ready for action against terrorist on its soils India can't go for the said CBD. So it is just a meeting and this must be when any new govt is coming in any country to know just thier behaviour.

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Maha Mitra

Sep 20, 2018 07:56pm

@zia Your view is very close to reality.

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Ankit

Sep 20, 2018 08:11pm

Both ministers are talking in the photo. None is keen on listening and none is keen on stepping back like a better brother.

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Ahmed

Sep 20, 2018 08:18pm

India should take this opportunity to grab the hand of friendship. Imran is an honorable man, he will not leave the hand of friendship hanging unanswered forever.

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Lahori kid

Sep 20, 2018 08:20pm

"I must differentiate between meeting and a dialogue," said the Indian official. "This is a meeting and not dialogue. Talk about a positive response from the Indians. Indians are already making it sounds like its not a big deal. Don't tell me the Indians are eager to talk peace.

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Harun

Sep 20, 2018 08:37pm

@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani It is just a meeting, not a talk, or discussion! In the first meeting if we impatiently take up Kashmir issue then the next meeting will never take place!

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Inam

Sep 20, 2018 08:41pm

@Brijesh Kumar Nawaz approach and state's approach are 2 different things.... Nawaz used to deal foreign policy for his personal business gain whereas IK does not have any personal business interests in India and therefore the dialogue will be based on relationship between the 2 countries rather than the 2 individuals.

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Parekh

Sep 20, 2018 08:51pm

It will be just formal as both Swaraj and Qureshi have known each other for quite long. Otherwise there will be no bilateral talks, as suggested by MEA of India.

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Harun

Sep 20, 2018 08:52pm

@Sastry Deadlock will continue in this generation! Let us freeze the status quo for next 25 years, and allow the next generation to resolve the issue!

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Nj12345

Sep 20, 2018 08:55pm

Reality Check: Until India is in strong position in economy, defence, International relations etc...they will never compromise on Kashmir.

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Observer

Sep 20, 2018 09:03pm

It is Pakistan who is requesting meeting, not India.

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Nick

Sep 20, 2018 09:19pm

Kashmir should be the only subject.

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Spread Love

Sep 20, 2018 09:37pm

Hope things work out for both the neighbors Aman ki Asha Love from India

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flying star

Sep 20, 2018 09:42pm

Talk and action to progress the peace ,not only the talk

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Shubham

Sep 20, 2018 09:47pm

Don't take it for granted. Decision may be reversed any time.

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Sep 20, 2018 10:20pm

@Tabdeli Agae , but Today, Indian foreign Ministry categorically declared that with Pakistan Foreign Ministry invitation, Indian foreign Minister has agreed just to meet but there will be no discussion.I think, in present juncture, there is no such development which accelerated a fruitful discussion and in case, there is any discussion, it is bound to fail considering the two nation's declared objective and policy.In ground level, there is no improvement.Though, it sounds bad, but India no more gives any importance to talk with pakistan as India knows that Kashmir issue has reached into a deadlock stage.Considering her growing strength in both Economically and international standings, talks with Pakistan has already gone to backburner. This is my truthful assessment of the situation.I will not be unhappy if it goes other way around.But chances are remote.

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Observer-Indian

Sep 20, 2018 10:40pm

No peace can ever prevail between India and Pakistan as the partition was based on hatred by those who demanded partition of the country where Hindus and Muslims lived together for centuries in far better peaceful conditions then what prevails today. More Muslims are living in India more peacefully than in Pakistan. All this dialogue business has failed to remove the inherent hatred in last 70 years. This is the truth and tragedy of our two nations.

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Divakar

Sep 20, 2018 10:54pm

@AKB :We Indians know the difference between meeting and dialogue.

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pathanoo

Sep 20, 2018 10:56pm

How about just start very simply by opening up the border for trade to flow across it without any taxes or other impediments. Build on small steps and FORGET Kashmir and Terrorists TEMPORARILY or you would not get any where.

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Raj Patel

Sep 20, 2018 11:11pm

@AKB No he made clear for under literate to understand in meeting you wont get any meaning full resolution. it can be a foundation stone to have a meaning full dialogue.

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S A Khan

Sep 20, 2018 11:40pm

Talks on the Kashmir Issue had been going on for over 60 years with no solution in sight. The issue could be settled only by both countries accepting the LoC with some adjustment to it.

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Khawar Saleem Aslam

Sep 20, 2018 11:43pm

Even with all the reservations it is a good move. There is no option other than talk; now or later.

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Tariq Rashid

Sep 21, 2018 12:40am

The way they responded even meeting should be held with such peoples..

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Akram

Sep 21, 2018 02:12am

@Gly mendon "Dont you understand English, Pakistan requested meeting, understand the context better." And why did India feel compelled to agree to a meeting? They could have refused.

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HAPPYBIRTHDAY

Sep 21, 2018 02:20am

the question is, who is going to "take one for the team" this time? Chuck?

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Ajaya K Dutt

Sep 21, 2018 04:08am

@Feroz - "based on the meeting outcome it will be decided whether a dialogue can be initiated." - A very accurate and rare observation.

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Bin Adam

Sep 21, 2018 04:52am

When ever there is any practical trust building initiative through dialogues the invisible forces of hate and hostility have always prevailed by reversing the same through fresh terrorist attacks. It happened again and again including after the personal visit of the late the then Indian Prime Minister Vajpai Ji who had visited with high ranking delegation through Wagha border and after personal visit of PM Modi the then Pakistan PM who after his visit had sent high ranking delegation including Federal Ministes to restart the long suspended dialogues? Only through sincere dialogues so long pending and critically messed up matters or disputes could be resolved including of Kashmir which is also the sincere wish of of the peace loving majority both sides. This is also in the larger interest of both the Nations and their generations.

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Manesh

Sep 21, 2018 05:00am

India needs to get down from their high horse and have a meaningful dialogue. There is a big difference between neighbors they control and Pakistan. Do it before its too late!

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Syed

Sep 21, 2018 07:19am

It is high time we learn to co-exist. Let the people of Kashmir live in peace. Both India and Pakistan should let go the Kashmir issue and discuss other matters. I always believe that Pakistan should only take care of Azad Kashmir and let India take care of Jammu Kashmir. We can't even provide education, food, water, electricity and healthcare services to our existing provinces and federal territories than why greed for more. India on the other hand should try to find a peaceful solution instead of using force and human rights violations. I think it is time for both countries to show some maturity on the Indo-Pak Conflict and move on.

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Rishi

Sep 21, 2018 07:42am

@Tabdeli Agae calm down. Still plenty of water to flow under the bridge.

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Chidananda

Sep 21, 2018 11:11am

@Alok Strongly Agree

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Indrajit

Sep 21, 2018 11:37am

@Inam What exactly was the business connection that Mr.Nawaz Sharif had in India? Allegations prove nothing.

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Ajith Pillai

Sep 21, 2018 07:49pm

Whatever the compulsions of our Government in Delh, i feel this step should have been taken. At least a feeling of goodwill would have been created with the new Pak Govt., which would have laid the foundation for further process. Sad!

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