P Chidambaram attacks Centre over 'India-Pakistan talks'
New Delhi, Sept 21 (IBNS): Former Union Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram on Friday attacked the Centre as it agreed to hold a meeting of the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) session.
"Monday-No talks, says MoS Defence; Tuesday-No talks, says HM; Wednesday-No Talks, says Defence Minister; Thursday-FMs will meet says MEA. That is a lesson on 'How to make foreign policy?'," Chidambaram attacked the Centre and tweeted as he criticised its foreign policy.
Meanwhile, the United States on Friday hailed India's acceptance of Pakistan's proposal to have a bilateral meeting as 'terrific news'.
The proposed meeting is scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which will be held in New York later this month.
US State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told a press briefing: "We saw that (reports of meetings between Indian and Pak leaders). I think that's a terrific news for the Indians and Pakistanis to be able to sit down and have a conversation together."
Following Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's letter to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, urging resumption of bilateral talks, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday declined to hold any such dialogues.
However, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar stated that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will hold a meeting with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on the sidelines of the UNGA.
Raveesh Kumar had reportedly indicated that the proposed meeting is taking place upon Pakistan's request.
Imran Khan has written a letter to Modi seeking resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan, moving on with his first overture for bilateral peacemaking after assuming office, media reports said on Thursday.
Khan's letter is believed to have been written in response to Modi's letter congratulating him for assuming office. According to the Times of India, Modi in his letter written on Aug 20 had called for a “meaningful and constructive” engagement between the two countries.
Monday-No talks, says MoS Defence;
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 20, 2018
Tuesday-No talks, says HM;
Wednesday-No Talks, says Defence Minister;
Thursday-FMs will meet says MEA.
That is a lesson on 'How to make foreign policy?'
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