India accepts Pakistan’s offer, foreign ministers to meet on the sidelines of UNGA

India accepted Pakistan’s offer of talks on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told reporters on September 20.

I can confirm that on the request of the Pakistani side, a meeting between EAM & Pakistani foreign minister will take place on the sidelines of #UNGA at a mutually convenient date and time: Raveesh Kumar, MEA pic.twitter.com/WUO0cE1i5F

— ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2018

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had earlier proposed a meeting between Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj, on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York this month.

Accepting the offer, Kumar clarified that the acceptance does not “indicate any change in the policy as far as our stand on terrorism and cross-border terrorism is concerned”.

“Our permanent missions will get in touch with each other to work out how and when the meeting will take place,” Kumar added. He did not, however, divulge the details of the meeting.

The acceptance, however, faced a lot of flak as it comes a day after the killing of a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan along the International Border by Pakistan Rangers at sector level. The body of head constable Narender Kumar was found in a mutilated state in Ramgarh sector.

Responding to the incident, Kumar told the press, “The barbaric incident happened and it is against all international norms; it is a serious issue and will be taken up with our counterpart [during the meeting]”.