Sidelines of UN summit: Nothing set in stone about Nawaz-Modi meet

Officials say both premiers will keep in indirect contact and may even have a brief encounter

ISLAMABAD:

As Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif prepares to attend the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Foreign Office (FO) officials did not rule out the possibility of him meeting his Indian counterpart on the sidelines of the summit.

“There is nothing on paper regarding a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly,” FO spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah said when asked about the possibility of such a meeting.

Other FO officials said that both Nawaz and Modi will remain in contact through indirect channels and could possibly go for a brief meeting in case the two countries soften their stance on Kashmir.

Premier Nawaz will lead the Pakistani delegation at the UN General Assembly session being held in New York from September 25 to 30. Over 150 world leaders are scheduled to attend this year’s session coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the world body.

The prime minister will address the general debate of the General Assembly on September 30. He will articulate his government’s vision of a peaceful neighborhood and economic development, and share with the world community Pakistan’s position and priorities on key international and regional issues.

But before that, on September 27, he will address the UN summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda. This comprehensive and transformative agenda comprising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) sets a new global development framework for the next fifteen years, replacing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

According to the FO, Prime Minister Nawaz will also co-host with US President Barack Obama and other world leaders a summit on UN peacekeeping.  “This high-level meeting will reaffirm the political commitment and support of member states to UN peacekeeping,” said FO officials.

Over the years, Pakistan has made substantial contribution to UN efforts to maintain international peace and security as a leading participant in peacekeeping missions around the world.

Premier Nawaz will also participate in a high-level roundtable on South-South Cooperation, and the global leaders’ meeting on gender equality and women’s empowerment, being hosted by President Xi Jinping of China. He will also hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders on the margins of the session.

According to the FO, Premier Nawaz’s participation at the annual session of the General Assembly signifies Pakistan’s continuing strong role and engagement with the UN and the international community to promote collective responses to the multifaceted challenges of global peace, security and development.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2015.