New Delhi: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves for Kathmandu today to attend the 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj did not rule out an informal meeting between the Indian PM and his Pakistancounterpart Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the summit.
Suspense looms over Modi-Sharif meet at SAARC summit, Pak to respond if India ‘requests’
Sushma Swaraj, when asked on Monday whether Modi and Sharif will have a bilateral meeting, only said “wait till tomorrow” while Pakistan’s National Security and Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz said there was no plan for such an interaction between the two leaders.
Aziz, however, said Pakistan will consider for a meeting between the two leaders if such an initiative comes from the Indian side. No plans yet,” Aziz told reporters when asked about a possible meeting between Modi and Sharif. Asked whether he was hopeful of a Modi-Sharif meeting, Aziz said “If the initiative comes from there (the Indian side).
On Sunday, India did not rule out a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pak counterpart Mian Nawaz Sharif at the SAARC Summit, and said it was keen to have meaningful dialogues with as many south Asian leaders as possible.
The statements by both sides did not clearly indicate whether the two Prime Ministers will meet on the sidelines of the 18th SAARC summit where there is a growing focus on Indo-Pak issues. PM Modi will leave Tuesday afternoon for the summit in Kathmandu, being held November 26-27, and is scheduled to return Thursday late evening.
Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala will host a banquet for all the leaders that evening. On the following day, the leaders will hold a retreat session at Dhulikhel after which they will adopt the Kathmandu Declaration. Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav will host dinner for all the leaders on the concluding day after which Modi returns.
Bureau Report
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