India unwilling for bilateral talks on Kashmir: Qureshi informs UN

NEW YORK: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi held a substantive meeting with Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres on Wednesday in New York on Kashmir issue, he said India was unwilling to negotiate bilaterally on Kashmir.

After meeting with UN chief, the foreign minister told media that, “Pakistan is serious for Kashmir’s bilateral talks, but India is backtracking.” FM Qureshi said he addressed numerous other matters, including the Ehsaas Programme, at a meeting with President Tijjani Muhammad-Bande of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

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The minister said he thanked the president of the security council for raising the question of Kashmir in the council meeting as lockout imposed on the Himalayan region has crossed nearly five months since then.

FM Qureshi told the media after arriving in New York that, “Pakistan is doing what it can do to de-escalate the crisis between Iran and the U.S, his trips to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran had gone pretty well, he added.

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In the wake of conflicts in the Middle East after the assassination of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani by the U.S. and eventual retribution by Iran, Prime Minister Imran Khan assigned the foreign minister to visit Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. and consult with the respective foreign ministers, as well as the U.S. secretary of state.