South Asian engagement: US, UN welcome Nawaz-Modi meeting

State Dept spokesman also hails resumption of stalled dialogue


News Desk July 12, 2015
Nawaz Sharif (left) shakes hands with Narendra Modi in the Russian city of Ufa. PHOTO: AFP

The United States and the United Nations have welcomed Friday’s meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in the Russian city of Ufa and the resumption of stalled dialogue between Pakistan and India.

“I wanted to welcome the meeting that took place earlier today between Prime Ministers Modi and Nawaz,” US State Department deputy spokesperson Mark C Toner told reporters at his daily news briefing in Washington DC on Saturday.

Read: Nawaz-Modi huddle draws mixed response

He added that the US also welcomed the announcement of future engagement between Pakistan and India. “We also welcome the announcement that India and Pakistan will discuss a range of bilateral issues, including security, people-to-people ties and expediting the Mumbai trial,” he said.



“We support all steps between the governments of India and Pakistan to strengthen their dialogue and cooperation,” Toner added.

Asked how Washington viewed Pakistan and India’s entry in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the spokesman said that it was a decision of the two countries.

Read: Modi accepts Nawaz’s invitation for first Pakistan visit

The UN has also hailed the meeting between premiers Nawaz and Modi as a positive development, Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 12th, 2015.

COMMENTS (5)

Kam | 9 years ago | Reply It was all politics. Kashmir is missing because China and Russia wanted Pakistan to keep it out for time being as they working hard to keep India away from west. Its just like giving a message to India that they have influence on Pakistan via China and they can make Pakistan do things to keep India happy as long as India keeps them happy. CPEC does comes at a cost for Pakistan. Pakistan played along but will India? India by joining SCO has put itself at such cross-roads that choosing a road is not easy and leaving a road is just not affordable.
Zain | 9 years ago | Reply @ziddi: Funny how you deem RO's as people of Pakistan
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