United States invites India-Pakistan foreign ministers' meeting

Washington, Sep 21 The United States has welcomed India's acceptance of Pakistan's proposal for a meeting between of the foreign ministers of the nations on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), calling it 'terrific news'.

While addressing a press conference, US State Department representative Heather Nauert stated, "I think that is terrific news for the Indians and Pakistanis to have the capacity to take a seat and have a conversation together."

Citing the letters exchanged between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, Nauert included that the conditions will hopefully boost bilateral relationship in the future.

"We saw the reports about the positive messages being traded between Pak PM and PM Modi. We trust that the conditions will be set for a decent, solid relationship, a great, strong bilateral relationship later on," she said.

These comments come a day after Ministry of External Affairs representative Raveesh Kumar, at a press briefing, declared that India has accepted Pakistan's proposal for a meeting between Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

He said the two leaders will meet at a mutually convenient date and time.

However, Kumar also cleared up that the meeting between the counterparts does not imply resumption of dialogue or talks with Pakistan.

Imran Khan, in a letter to Prime Minister Modi, had proposed a meeting between Swaraj and Qureshi, on the sidelines of the UNGA.

In the letter, Khan also required the resumption of the comprehensive bilateral dialogue between the two countries.