India's back down wasted opportunity of peace: FM Qureshi
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Reacting to the Indian government decision of calling off the meeting, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi says India has wasted an opportunity of peace by refusing a meeting between foreign ministers of Pakistan and India on the sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York.
He said Pakistan wants peace but unfortunately India did not give positive response.
He said it is need of the hour that both sides sit together and hold talks for peace and stability in the region. He said apparently Indian government is facing pressure internally due to future elections.
The Foreign Minister said Pakistan sincerely wants resolution of all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, with India through negotiations on the dialogue table.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi said dialogue is the only way forward to resolve all issues confronting the region.
He said Pakistan has always extended an olive branch to India for the resolution of problems and enhancing bilateral ties in an amicable manner, but the latter does not come out of its internal politics.
The Minister said it is the leadership, which has the mettle to solve problems on the negotiating table, but it seems India lacks this.
He said Pakistan is ready for talks, but India is reluctant in this regard.
The Minister said we can only wish India to come to the negotiating table, but we can neither pressurize anybody nor will accept the same for this purpose.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the world wants connectivity and promote regional trade, but India is creating problems in this way.
He said India's stubbornness is also adversely affecting future of the SAARC countries.
