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Will PM Modi, Sharif talk at SAARC summit?

by IBNS 24 Nov 2014, 11:35 pm

New Delhi/Kathmandu, Nov 25 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he looked forward to bilateral discussions with other South Asian heads of state on the sidelines of the SAARC summit in Nepal, media reports said.

The statement came amid speculation of possible talks with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif.

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj is also scheduled to meet her Pakistani counterpart Sartaz Aziz on Tuesday at a foreign ministers’ meet, sources said. Swaraj on Monday said: “Wait till tomorrow (Tuesday).”

Reports said PM Modi and Nawaz Sharif will “meet” as part of the conference.

“The Prime Minister’s intention is to have meaningful dialogue with as many of our South Asian colleagues as possible. This would mean taking into account all aspects of our relationship,” said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

India had called off talks with Pakistan in August this year over its envoy’s meetings with Kashmiri separatists.