Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has clarified that his Chinesecounterpart, Yan Yi’s statement regarding some countries that change theirposition on one phone call was not directed at Pakistan.

While addressing a press conference in Multan, Qureshi said that the twocountries enjoy friendly relations and have been together through thick andthin.——————————

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The issue had come up last month when China and Iran signed a $400 billionagreement in Tehran. On the occasion, the Chinese had said that “Irandecides independently on its relations with other countries and is not likesome countries that change their position with one phone call.”

Speaking on the normalization of ties with India, the minister said thatPakistan always tried to normalize relations with India, and it was Indiathat always backtracked for political gains. Qureshi underscored that allissues, including Kashmir, could be resolved through dialogue.

Pakistan and India could not afford a war. Both are nuclear powers.Pakistan has a clear stance on trade with India. It’s now India’s turn tomake the environment conducive to dialogue.

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The minister also raised concerns over the ongoing situation in Indian-heldKashmir, saying that the people of Kashmir and different political partieshad already rejected the Indian government’s unilateral decision of August5, 2019.

To a question regarding Pakistan’s snub from the environment conference inthe US, Qureshi said the US government had only invited countries that werecreating pollution.