Nawaz, Modi to meet in Russia on July 10

FO spokesperson says both sides are in contact with each other for the bilateral meeting

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi will meet at the sidelines of the regional summit in Russia this week against the backdrop of strained ties.

A senior government official while speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed to The Express Tribune that the meeting between the two leaders has been scheduled for July 10.

Nawaz and Modi will be in the Russian city of Ufa to attend the Shangai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

Read: Nawaz, Modi to meet at Russia Summit

When contacted, Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilluah said both sides were in contact with each other for the bilateral meeting. However, he added he could not confirm the meeting yet.

The meeting between Nawaz and Modi comes against the backdrop of rising tensions between the two neighbors in recent weeks.

Read: Nawaz, Modi may meet at Russia summit

The relations have been strained due to a series of controversial statements made by the top Indian political leadership. Indian Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Bangladesh admitted that his country played a part in the break up of Pakistan.

The Indian defence minister threatened to use terrorists to neutralise terrorists while a junior minister warned Pakistan of ‘surgical strikes.’

The official said the two prime ministers are expected to review the current situation and look into the possibility of some kind of engagement between the two neighbors.

Read: Pakistan, India to start process of joining China security bloc

Pakistan, however, is not hopeful of any major breakthrough given the track record of Modi administration, commented another official.