Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday expressed disappointment over the arrogant and negative response of India to his call for resumption of peace dialogue.
“Disappointed at the arrogant and negative response by India to my call for resumption of the peace dialogue,” he tweeted.
"However, all my life I have come across small men occupying big offices who do not have the vision to see the larger picture," the PM added.
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Earlier on Saturday, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi 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.
On Friday evening, the Indian government announced the cancellation of a meeting between foreign ministers of India and Pakistan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York.
The news came just a day after the confirmation of the proposed meeting by India.
The government of Pakistan on Friday also expressed stated disappointment at the announcement made by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi about cancellation of the meeting.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, India once again wasted a serious opportunity to change the dynamics of the bilateral relationship and put the region on the path of peace and development.
On Thursday, Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi will meet in New York.
"India has accepted the Pakistani prime minister's suggestion," the spokesperson said. "The meeting will take place on Pakistan’s request."
Prime Minister Imran Khan wrote a letter to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and sought resumption of the peace dialogue between the two countries.
PM Khan in his letter acknowledged that the relations between both the countries face several challenges but that Pakistan is ready for talks on all issues, including terrorism.
He urged that the two foreign ministers should initiate the resumption of dialogue and meet on the sidelines of UNGA.
As per the report, PM Imran's letter was written in response to the Indian PM Narendra Modi who congratulated Khan for assuming office.
The PM stressed the need for resolution of all major outstanding issues through including Kashmir, Sir Creek and Siachen, through dialogue.
Imran Khan urged that the two neighbours should to take measures for the peace and betterment of their nations as well as the future generations.
On July 26, Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his first speech after winning the general election, had said that he was keen to improve relations with India and wanted work to resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue.
This is pertinent to mention that Pakistan and India have not been engaged in any significant dialogue since 2015.
