Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi hits out at India
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ISLAMABAD - Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has hit back at India over the issue of talks cancellation from New Delhi.
He on Saturday said New Delhi called off the planned meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan owing to an issue which took place in July.
“India in September presented an issue which took place in July as an excuse to back out of the meeting,” the foreign minister said while speaking to the media in Doha en route to New York. "I think this is not appropriate," he added.
FM Qureshi elaborated, "Stamps were used as an excuse although the stamps in question were distributed before the PTI-led government took charge."
The foreign minister said India first agreed to the meeting and then “later found an excuse” to cancel it.
“The talks were called off due to India’s internal issues,” Qureshi asserted and added that he was "deeply disappointed" after reading India's stance.
The foreign minister, who is travelling to New York to attend the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, further stressed, "Diplomatic protocol was crushed by India."
FM Qureshi further regretted that the "words used by India for Prime Minister Imran Khan's July 26 sentiments were inappropriate and contrary to diplomatic protocol."
He also said that the resolution of outstanding disputes between Pakistan and India through dialogue is in the regional interest.