No bilateral talks with Pakistan during annual UNGA session: MEA Ravish Kumar

There will be no bilateral talks between India and Pakistan during the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, MEA spokesperson Ravish Kumar said.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj represent India at the annual UNGA session at United Nations. She will hold several bilateral talks with several world leaders.

However, India has not received any invitation from Pakistan so far. Kumar said, “Pakistan foreign minister is going there for a regional meeting. So there could be a meeting between Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

India's permanent representative at the United Nations, Syed Akbaruddin informed UN about India’s priorities which include reforms, terrorism, and the climate change.

Taking a dig at Pakistan, Akbaruddin said Islamabad's decision to raise the Kashmir issue at the UN is like 'Miyan ki daud masjid tak'.

He said, “Pakistan has not formally raised Kashmir issue at UN in the last 40 years. If Pakistan raises Kashmir issue at UN, the country will be wasting its own time as it has not raised the issue in the last 40 years.”

On the issue of Masood Azhar, Akbaruddin said, he is a terrorist and we will try to bring him within the ambit of the law.

It is to be noted that India along with 113 other countries has supported discussion on the issues of “Responsibility to Protect” and Prevent Massacre. Pakistan and 21 other nations have opposed the discussion.