Foreign ministers of India, Pakistan to meet in New York
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that foreign ministers of India and Pakistan will meet in New York on the sidelines of UN General Assembly (UNGA) later this month.
"I can confirm that on the request of the Pakistani side, a meeting between EAM & Pakistani foreign minister will take place on the sidelines of UNGA at a mutually convenient date and time," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.
Raveesh Kumar, however, made it clear that the meeting does not indicate any change in India's policy towards Pakistan.
Kumar emphasised that the meeting is taking place on Pakistan's request.
He said the date for the meeting was being finalised by the permanent missions of the two countries in New York.
Responding to a question, Kumar said the agenda for the meeting has not been finalised.
He said Sushma Swaraj will also participate in the SAARC foreign ministers' meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA. The first day of the high-level UNGA debate will begin on September 25 and will last for nine working days.
The announcements comes after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking dialogue between his foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York.
Imran's letter is in response to the one PM Modi had written to him days ahead of his swearing-in ceremony.
Comprehensive bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan was launched in December 2015, however, it was stalled after the dastardly terror attack on Pathankot air base in January, 2016.
Watch: Foreign ministers of India, Pakistan to meet in New York
