Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday left for the United States to attend the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly, making it clear that Pakistan will not budge from its stance on Kashmir when he speaks before the gathering of world leaders, including his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
Describing Kashmir as the “core issue” between India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged the need for its early resolution.
“Kashmir is a core issue, which must be resolved. And in my view sooner the two countries (Pakistan and India) start working on it, better it would be for them,” Sharif said while talking to reporters in London, during a stopover on his way to New York. He said Pakistan will continue playing its due role with responsibility for peace and stability in the region.
The Pakistani PM said the issue of Kashmir should be discussed at all levels and forums. “This issue should be discussed not only at international fora, but it should also be discussed at Pakistan-India bilateral forum,” he added.
Similarly, the PM said Pakistan has engaged Afghanistan to ensure peace in the region.
Sharif said Pakistan and Afghanistan were committed to jointly fighting the menace of terrorism. The government has introduced several changes to the foreign policy, which are paying its dividends, he added.
“The two countries have agreed not to allow their soils to be used again each other and Pakistan was strictly abiding by this commitment,” he added.
Sharif will address the UNGA on September 30, besides addressing the plenary meeting of General Assembly for adoption of the post-2015 Development Agenda.
On the sidelines of the UNGA, the prime minister will attend a global leaders’ meeting on gender equality and women empowerment organised by China and UN women.
However, no meeting between PM Nawaz and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi has been scheduled as yet and no request has been received from the other side either.
Some media outlets reported that a chance meeting between the two leaders could not be ruled out though since Sharif and Modi will be staying at the same hotel in New York.
Sharif will stay at the iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotel when he reaches New York on the evening of September 25, as will Modi when he arrives on Wednesday evening.
While there has been no official announcement about any possible bilateral meeting, it remains to be seen whether the two leaders will come face-to-face by chance during their stay in the hotel.
Sources said that a “chance meeting” could be arranged by the diplomats of the two countries during their stay. They pointed out that since Nawaz Sharif and Modi will also be attending the peacekeeping summit on 28th, the multilateral gathering will provide a forum for the two leaders to come face-to-face.
Modi will depart for India late September 28 or the early morning of September 29 but Sharif will remain in the city.
The Waldorf Astoria has traditionally been the hotel of choice for US presidents when they visit the city for the annual UN General Assembly sessions. However, last year a Chinese company purchased the hotel, triggering concerns of potential cyber intrusions by Chinese hackers if Obama stayed there. So, the US president and his staff will be staying instead at the New York Palace Hotel this time.
