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PM Modi writes to Imran Khan for uninterrupted talks between India and Pakistan: Pak FM SM Qureshi

News Nation Bureau | Edited By : Nabanita Chakorborty | Updated on: 20 Aug 2018, 05:21:35 PM
Pakistan should have uninterrupted talks with India: Pak FM Qureshi (File Photo)

New Delhi:

Two days after being elected as the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi Monday just made a shocking claim that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi dashed a letter to his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan in which he has proposed for a beginning of talks between the two countries. However, sources close to the development said that "there was no proposal for dialogue".

In his maiden address at the Pakistan Foreign Office, FM Qureshi said, "India and Pakistan have to move forward keeping realities before them, adding that Indian PM Narendra Modi has written a letter to PM Imran Khan in which he indicated a beginning of talks between the two countries".

Referring to stalled dialogue between India and Pakistan over the years, Qureshi said, "There is a need for continued and uninterrupted dialogue with India. We are neighbours. We have long-standing issues, both of us know these problems. But we have no other option but to engage in dialogue. We cannot afford adventurism".

Read | Navjot Singh Sidhu arrives in Pakistan, to attend friend Imran Khan's oath-taking ceremony

"These issues are complicated and we may face hurdles in resolving them, but we must engage. We will have to admit that we are facing problems, we must admit that Kashmir is a reality. The Islamabad declaration is a part of our history," the newly elected foreign minister went on to claim further.

On Sunday, PM Imran Khan in his over hour-long address to the nation said that Pakistan is ready to improve its ties with India and his government would like the leaders of the two sides to resolve all disputes, including the "core issue" of Kashmir, through talks.

"If they take one step towards us, we will take two, but at least (we) need a start," Khan was quoted as saying.

Read | NN Exclusive | Imran Khan will lead Pakistan towards development: Pervez Musharraf

On August 18, Imran Khan took oath as the 22nd prime minister of Pakistan after his Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged as the single largest party in the National Assembly following General Elections on July 25, 2018.

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First Published : 20 Aug 2018, 01:19:35 PM

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