BISHKEK: Prime Minister Imran Khan and Indian Premier Narendra Modi shook hands and exchanged pleasantries when they interacted on the sidelines of 19th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, the Pakistan foreign minister said on Friday.
“I have already clarified that there was no planned meeting. The brief interaction did take place, there was a handshake and exchange of pleasantries,” Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said while talking with local media.
He described the meeting as a “courtesy”.
“Pakistan has put forward its agenda in a straightforward manner. India is still in the election mindset and is taking an extreme stance the way they took during the elections.”
He further said, now India has to decide about the relations with Pakistan that whether Modi wants to resolve the issues through bilateral talks or not.
“India has to make this decision, we are not worried or in haste. When India has decided, it would find us prepared. It should be very clear that we will only hold talks on the basis of equality,” Qureshi said.
“We are not running after anyone. Our approach is realistic and well-planned.”
PM Khan on Thursday reached Kyrgyzstan to attend the 19th Meeting of the Council of the Heads of State (CHS) of the SCO held in the capital Bishkek.
The Pakistan premier held meetings with the various head of states, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbay Jeenbekov and other key figures.
