United Nations: In the midst of speculation
about an Indo-Pak bilateral in New York this week, Pakistan`s
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that any talks
between the two countries needs to be "meaningful."
At this stage, Quershi noted that a bilateral was still
worked out, and Islamabad had sent "some suggestions" through
diplomatic channels to New Delhi about these talks.
Without going to specific details about these
"suggestions," Qureshi told reporters yesterday, that he was
now awaiting a response from the Indian side.
"The talks can take place immediately if a positive
response is received," the minister said, noting that any
meeting should produce results.
Pointing to disputes over Kashmir, Siachen and water,
Qureshi said, "How can Pakistan talk to India without these
subjects being on the table."
Qureshi also refuted claims that Pakistan was putting
conditions on India before holding talks. "The suggestions
that we have made are aimed at making the talks meaningful,"
he said, underlining the need for "result-oriented, meaningful
and substantive for the sake peace and stability."
The minister also noted that despite Krishna`s last visit
to Islamabad being dubbed as a failure, the talks had been
constructive and meaningful.
Meanwhile, Qureshi ran into Krishna at a meeting for
Commonwealth ministers, organised on the sidelines of the
General Assembly at the UN. They had another "chance
encounter," last week, in the UN building.
Krishna told the Indian media that the ministers had
indeed greeted each other.
Last week, Qureshi raised the issue of Kashmir several
times in speeches he gave at public forums in New York. Both
ministers, however, have spoken strongly in favour of talks as
the only way forward.
"India wants to keep Pakistan engaged in talks because we
do not see any other alternatives. Talks are the only way to
take this forward," Krishna said on Friday.
PTI
