External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna is unlikely to meet his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi though both of them are in Kabul for a conference on Afghanistan on Tuesday, days after their talks in Islamabad.
An indication to this effect was given on Monday by Mr. Krishna, who said “I do not know whether time will permit me to talk to him (Qureshi).”
Officials accompanying Mr. Krishna said the meeting was unlikely. The Pakistani side has not sought any meeting with Mr. Krishna nor has the Indian side shown any interest, they said.
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Let us wait and watch, Indian officials said, adding the roadmap for talks with Pakistan would be decided “as we go along“.
Mr. Krishna and Mr. Qureshi are in Kabul to attend a one-day international conference on Afghanistan along with a host of other foreign leaders on Tuesday. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is among the leaders.
Mr. Krishna said his invitation to Mr. Qureshi to visit India still stands, a day after the Pakistani Minister said he would not visit India for a “leisure trip” but only for “result-oriented talks“.
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Responding to Mr. Qureshi, Mr. Krishna said no minister goes to another country for a walk, tour or sight-seeing. The ministers talk serious bilateral relationship, he said, adding for leisure he can go elsewhere.
Following a meeting with Mr. Qureshi on Thursday last, Mr. Krishna had announced that he had invited his Pakistani counterpart to visit India for the next round of parleys.