Modi to visit Pakistan? No decision yet, says India


Karachi/New Delhi, Sep 7 (IANS) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is looking forward to visit Pakistan in November to attend the Saarc Summit, according to India's High Commissioner in Islamabad. But New Delhi said on Tuesday that no decision had been made yet.

"Decisions and announcements of such nature are not made so far in advance," India's External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Swarup's remarks came a day after the High Commissioner, Gautam Bambawale, told an event in Karachi on Monday that the visit was possible despite tense India-Pakistan ties.

"I can't say about the future but as of today Prime Minister Modi is looking forward to visiting Islamabad for the Saarc summit in November," the Dawn quoted Bambawale as saying at an interactive session of the Karachi Council on Foreign Relations.

He also said while India and Pakistan must certainly discuss the entire range of issues, they must keep their focus on economy which he described as a "low-hanging fruit".

His comments came amid reports that Modi might keep away from the Saarc Summit in view of the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly over Jammu and Kashmir.

Bambawale said it was India's desire to see a Pakistan which was moderate, prosperous and stable and at peace with itself, its neighbours as well as the rest of the world.

He admitted that trust and confidence was lacking in relations between New Delhi and Islamabad.

The road to normalization of Pakistan-India relations, he said, lay through greater trade and business, the roadmap for which was prepared by the two governments in 2012.

The total trade between the two countries was worth just $2.5 billion a year while its potential was of $20 billion, the Dawn quoted him as saying.

The Indian envoy said even when tensions were high between the two countries, there had been contacts at the operational level.

Over the past month and a half, there had been "cordial interactions" between Pakistani and Indian border forces.

Bambawale referred to Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's and Modi's visits to Islamabad and Lahore respectively in December last year.

But on January 2 this year, terrorists - who India says came from Pakistan - attacked the Pathankot Indian Air Force base.

He said the Indian government had been saying: "Let's work together to get to the bottom of terrorism which was a headache not only for Pakistan but for India and the world."

In an obvious reference to the Kashmir dispute, Bambawale said the two countries should not be talking on just one issue, rather on all issues.

He said India had taken a stand in the 1960s and 70s that New Delhi and Beijing must talk on the boundary problem before moving on to other issues. But this was reversed in 1988.

Today China was one of India's largest trading partners, he pointed out.

Asked about "Indian atrocities" in Jammu and Kashmir, the High Commissioner said Indians were as concerned about the people of Kashmir as anyone else in the world.

But issue of Jammu and Kashmir was domestic and "you should focus on your problems", he replied.

Bambawale said the problem with China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was that it went through Pakistani Kashmir whose ownership is disputed by Islamabad and New Delhi.

He also mentioned how Pakistan had refused consular access to alleged RAW agent Kulbhushan Jadhav, arrested in Pakistan, while India gave consular access to a Pakistani terrorist, Bahadur Ali.

"We have offered Pakistani authorities full consular access to him," he said in reply to a question about Indian involvement in Balochistan.

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Lokesh, Mangalore

    Thu, Sep 08 2016

    "Decisions and announcements of such nature are not made so far in advance," Surely, we can't make announcements when WE can actually give surprise visits now and then.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Bhaksala, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    i strictly instruct Indian high commission in Islamabad not to misguide people as we are sure Modiji will not miss this opportunity of foreign tour and my instruction is my strict order

    DisAgree [2] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ismail Shaikh, Moodbidri

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    MODIYA NARAKAYATREGE (PAK) SHUBHAVAGALI!!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangaluru/Kuwait

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    India vs. Pakistan

    Today shake hands and exchange smiles (only outward)
    Another day embrace & a pat on the back & a smack on the cheek
    Next day boarder incursion
    Gradually, terrorist crossing the borders
    Finally, big publicity in the media
    Within the country big chaos and hull bulla (RSS, SENA, Sangh parivar including general public)
    New occasion crops us (in different form)
    Walk a talk or sit and talk, discuss, promise and leave
    History repeats
    Nothing completes
    What is ultimate solution?????? Never ending……………………………….

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Arif, UDUPI/KUWAIT

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    Biryani is ready. Decision will be taken whether to serve at lunch or dinner. Modi getting too much friendly with enemy country.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • TRUE INDIAN, IXE

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    FIRST PM OF INDIA. WHO VISITING PAKISTAN MANY TIMES.

    IF SAME THING DONE BY MANMOHAN. BJP RSS SHIVSENA WOULD D HIM AS A PAKISTANI.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohammed, Kundapur/Qatar

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    Now we need to Wait and See, Our PM will Visit Pakistan to Have Biryani in the Name of SAARC Summit
    OR
    He will Boycott to Attend the Summit, until there in no Positive Response from PAKISTAN about Demolition of TERRORISTS to become a DESH BHAKT???

    DisAgree [3] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • SK, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    Modi will be visiting Nawaz frequently .... My friends coming from Gulf, saying what they heard from their Pakistani friends.... That Imran party members are alleging that Nawaz sheriff has invested about billion dollar in India as his personal investment in India . May be true or not only Imran khan can confirm it ....

    DisAgree [6] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sudhakar, Kallianpur

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    Don't think that Nawaz Sheriff is so much foolish to invest in their enemy country India!!!

    DisAgree [7] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • SK, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    Wait and watch ....without fire, smoke will not come ....

    DisAgree [3] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangaluru/Kuwait

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    The haters and critics of Ramya please open your eyes and use unlimited brains how to advise Mr. Modi on SAARC summit meeting in Pakistan.
    Only hatred and criticism& force will not solve any problems.
    Need to be understanding, be diplomatic and remain firm by word and actions. Indeed, I wish Mr. Modi will meet Nawaz Sharif and other South Asian heads of States in SAARC summit meeting.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • monu, perla

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    What is the problem if Modi visit PAK being a PM. its good to have good relationship with neighbors.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Declan, Mumbai

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    What kind of neighbour ? One whose government, Armed forces and ISI tacitly support terrorists who kill and de-capitate our jawans at the border and massacre our countrymen (Mumbai 26/11) ?

    What do we need for good relations with such neighbours for ? As war would be detrimental to us too at least we can isolate them. We have given them far too many chances for good relations. They cannot be trusted anymore.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues., Frazer Town,Bangalore

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    You need to make your stand clear with Pakistan before any meeting and await their reply before any participation.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • steven, dxb

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    Ramya was so so much correct. What these bakt will do now??

    DisAgree [4] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • TTS, Kadri

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    ಈ ಬಿರಿಯಾನಿ ರುಚಿನೇ ಹಾಗೆ ಕಣ್ರೀ....ಅದರಲ್ಲೂ ಬೀ........

    DisAgree [3] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Hussain, Abudhabi

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    Who will throw eggs now

    DisAgree [1] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • ISMAIL K PERINJE, PERINJE

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    Modi visiting to HELLLLLLLLLLL???

    DisAgree [3] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Declan, Mumbai

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    According to the words of Cashew Feni minister he is visiting hell !

    What does Cashew Feni minister have to say now ?

    DisAgree [6] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramesh, Kasaragod

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    This visit is to attend SAARC summit. PM have to attend even if it is conducted at Somalia..

    DisAgree [11] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shahul, Honnali

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    Now Shivsena,VHP,RSS, GUPCHUP.....

    If it was Manmohan then just imagine these fake patriots will do what.....

    DisAgree [3] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santosh,K, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    If MODI visits or he tells to Pakistan is comes under humanitarian grounds. But for others talk good to Pakistan becoming under anti nationals.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Declan, Mumbai

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    Maybe he liked their biriyani when he was there the last time so he wants to have it again. Also after Ramya's comment that she received good hospitality when she visited Pak he does not want to be one to be left behind on that count.

    What for are taxpayers paying taxes ?

    DisAgree [4] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Julie Dsouza, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    Very well said. Modi roams all around but he had no time to attend Mother Theresa's Sainthood ceremony. It is such a great event for the country , we are lucky to get this opportunity at least to watch on TV.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • John R Lobo, Kaikamba / Dubai

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    Let Modi visit to Pakistan, and PAK Army & ISI Backed Terrorist will target India again. This will happening under nose of PAK PM. Even though he know in advance he will not act because he don't want jeopardize his relation with fellow Pakistanis. This was happened for Kargil war , Mumbai attack & Pathan Kot attack. When our Politicians will learn lesson from this.....????????

    DisAgree Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ravi, Kapu

    Wed, Sep 07 2016

    Don't try to make friends with a TERRORIST country

    DisAgree [1] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse


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