In a massive jolt to US President Donald Trump, Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said his nation is okay with no third-party mediation between India and Pakistan. Dar stated that India has already rejected third-party mediation over “outstanding issues” between India and Pakistan.
While replying to a question on negotiations between India and Pakistan during an Al-Jazeera News broadcast, Dar said, “Well, we don’t mind. But India has categorically stated that it’s bilateral. So, we don’t mind if it is bilateral. When we met on July 25 with Secretary Rubio in Washington, I asked him what happened to the dialogue. He said India says it is a bilateral issue. So, we are not begging for anything.” Dar said Pakistan would not force anyone for dialogue.
Experts see the move as a big jolt to Trump’s initiative, as he came forward and offered mediation.
According to reports, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif may meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
It is also reported that Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir will also be attending the meeting along with the prime minister Sharif. The meeting, if it takes place, would be a significant development, as Trump has already met Munir at a luncheon at the White House.
The last Pakistani military leader to meet a sitting U.S. President was General Pervez Musharraf in 2001, who did so as the nation’s head of state during his tenure as a military dictator.
