Sushma Swaraj clarifies why there was no Indian flag when she met Pakistan's PM Nawaz Sharif

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj clarifies that her meeting with Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was not bilateral in nature.

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj makes a speech at the Heart of Asia conference in Islamabad. File photo

New Delhi: In a bid to douse the controversy, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday clarified that her meeting with Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was not bilateral in nature, which requires flags of both the countries.

I called on Prime Minister of Pakistan. This was not a bilateral meeting which has flags of both countries. pic.twitter.com/mCeqc7lHKt

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 11, 2015

Sushma Swaraj is likely to brief Parliament about India, Pakistan dialogue on Monday. The minister was in Pakistan on Wednesday to attend the Heart of Asia Conference. 

The missing national flag in Pakistan did not go down well with many Indians. Here's how they reacted on Twitter:

Sushma talks to Pakistan without Flag, one more insult to tricolor by BJP #WhereIsOurTiranga #SushmaGet10Heads pic.twitter.com/wVyL5qdtBG

— Youth Congress (@IYC) December 9, 2015

#WhereIsOurTiranga ?? PhotoShoppers on the Job!! Pic1:Real Pic2: #PhotoshopSarkar @rkhuria @Mnomics_ @KilaFateh pic.twitter.com/xlOYzX2Xhc

— Geet Varun (@geetv79) December 10, 2015

First they wipe face with Tiranga, Then they invert our Tiranga, And Now, #WhereIsOurTiranga ? pic.twitter.com/3DwDoOmvjI

— Join AAP (@JoinAAP) December 9, 2015

When our prime minister visits the flag is inverted, when our MEA visits our tricolor is missing. Sad affairs #Whereisourtiranga

— Rajesh Sharma (@beingAAPian) December 9, 2015

India is being ruled by a government which is failed to protect the honor of national flag. Can you take it anymore ? #WhereIsOurTiranga

— Gajendra (@Airavta) December 9, 2015

बार बार तिरंगे का अपमान नहीं सहेगा हिंदुस्तान @nishachugh1 @dilipkpandey @HasanSafin #WhereIsOurTiranga pic.twitter.com/3cl5XD3Ljl

— Bodhraj Bhardwaj (@bodhrajbhardwa1) December 9, 2015