Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to have official and scheduled meetings with heads of major countries, including his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi by middle of next month, according to diplomatic sources.

Meetings will take place during Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit scheduled to be held on September 15 and 16 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, historical and cultural centre of Muslims. Other regional leaders expected to meet PM Shehbaz Sharif include country heads of China, Russia and Iran. “There are no plans of any meetings between Indian and Pakistani prime ministers in September,” Bilawal told WION News, adding that both India and Pakistan are part of SCO and two countries are only engaged in context of broad-based activities of organisation. He said, “India is our neighbouring country.

While one can decide on a lot of things, one cannot choose its neighbours, therefore, we should get used to living with them.” Bilawal recalled that after 2019, constructive dialogue with India became difficult, while statements based on Islamophobia by Indian officials are further creating hurdles in dialogue.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 12 2022

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.