Imran Khan and PM Narendra Modi
The Ministry of External Affairs made it clear on Thursday that PM Narendra Modi will not be meeting Pakistan Prime Minister Imram Khan on the sidelines of Shanghai Co-Operation Organisation.
The SCO Summit is due to be held in Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan on June 13 and 14.
India has firmed its stand on terrorism right since 2016 terror attack on Pathankot Air Base in 2016. India has been maintaining that it cannot engage in bilateral talks with Pakistan while it continues to support terrorism.
This was clear during PM Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony held recently. While leaders of BIMSTEC countries were invited, Pakistan PM Imran Khan was not extended an invitation.
MEA had said that the invitations were "in line with government's focus on its 'Neighbourhood First' policy."
Besides India, BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) comprises Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan.
In 2014, Modi had invited all SAARC leaders including the then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his swearing-in ceremony, in a major initiative to reach out to the neighbouring countries.
Watch | Special Report: Pakistan PM Imran Khan not invited to Modi's swearing-in ceremony
