Unfortunate, says Pak

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Friday expressed disappointment at India calling off a meeting between him and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New York and alleged that "internal pressure" forced New Delhi to make the "unfortunate" move.

India cited the "brutal" killing of three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the release of postal stamps "glorifying" Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani for cancelling the meeting between Swaraj and Qureshi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this month.

Qureshi expressed disappointment at the cancellation of the foreign minister-level talks, saying it was "unfortunate."

"It is unfortunate that India has not given a positive response. Indian has once again wasted an opportunity for peace," Qureshi told the media here.

He said that it was important to sit and talk for the sake of peace and stability in the region.

"The refusal of India shows that Indian government is facing internal pressure," he said.

"It seems that India is already preparing for its elections due in the country next year," Qureshi was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune.

He said Pakistan sincerely wants resolution of all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, with India through negotiations.

Pakistan has always extended an olive branch to India for the resolution of problems and enhancing bilateral ties in an amicable manner, but New Delhi does not come out of its "internal politics", state-run Radio Pakistan quoted him as saying.

The minister said Pakistan can only wish India to come to the negotiating table, but "we can neither pressurise anybody nor will accept the same for this purpose."

Qureshi said the world wants connectivity and promote regional trade, but India is creating problems.

He said India's "stubbornness" is also adversely affecting future of the SAARC countries, the Radio Pakistan report said.

But, Qureshi reiterated that dialogue is the only way to come to the resolution of any issue.

"We said that we want dialogue - but in a dignified manner," he added.

Announcing the cancellation of the New York meeting, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in New Delhi that the incidents "exposed" the "true face" of Pakistan's new Prime Minister Imran Khan to the world as well as Islamabad's evil agenda behind the proposal for talks.