'Sad to see India backing off,' says Pakistan President Arif Alvi after Modi govt cancels New York meeting
Pakistan President Arif Alvi expressed his agony over India’s decision of cancelling the New York meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries next month.
Alvi took to Twitter and said that he was, ‘sad to see India backing off from FM level talks.’ He further added that ‘mutual reservations could have been placed on the table.’
Predictably, Alvi also raised the Kashmir issue and said that, ‘Kashmiris face only disappointment on #InternationalDayOfPeace.’ ‘PM @ImranKhanPTI's outstanding peace overture negated in their usual belligerent manner,’ Alvi added.
Earleir in the day, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also expressed disappointment at India calling off a meeting between him and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New York and alleged that "internal pressure" forced New Delhi to make the "unfortunate" move.
India cited the "brutal" killing of three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the release of postal stamps "glorifying" Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani for cancelling the meeting between Swaraj and Qureshi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this month.
Qureshi expressed disappointment at the cancellation of the foreign minister-level talks, saying it was "unfortunate." "It is unfortunate that India has not given a positive response. Indian has once again wasted an opportunity for peace," Qureshi told the media here.
He said that it was important to sit and talk for the sake of peace and stability in the region.
"The refusal of India shows that Indian government is facing internal pressure," he said.
"It seems that India is already preparing for its elections due in the country next year," Qureshi was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune.
He said Pakistan sincerely wants resolution of all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, with India through negotiations.
Pakistan has always extended an olive branch to India for the resolution of problems and enhancing bilateral ties in an amicable manner, but New Delhi does not come out of its "internal politics", state-run Radio Pakistan quoted him as saying.
(With PTI inputs)
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