PM Modi and Imran Khan did not even exchange pleasantries at the hosted by Kyrgyzstan President for the leaders attending SCO summit.
Bishkek| The saga of Prime Minister Narendra Modi snubbing Pakistan PM Imran Khan continues even at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. At the first day of the summit held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan the heads of eight member countries were present including PM Modi and Imran Khan. However, both the leaders seemed to have adopted a ‘No talk’ policy. India has time and again reiterated that there can be no talks between the two countries until the cross-border terror stops. Before PM Modi heading for SCO summit, India had cleared that there was no proposal for the talks between the two nations.
No pleasantries exchanged at the dinner table:
Reportedly, PM Modi maintained the ‘no talk’ policy at the informal dinner hosted by Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbay Jeenbekov for the leaders attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. While the leaders sat across the leaders even pleasantries were not exchanged by them.
PM @narendramodi and other SCO leaders during the Summit in Bishkek. pic.twitter.com/XgLL6HXrLr
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 14, 2019
Not the first time Modi ignored Imran Khan:
It is not the first time the Indian Prime minister has chosen to ignore his Pakistani counterpart. In September 2018, when Imran Khan came to power, he had written a letter to PM Modi expressing his intent to resume talks between the two countries. However, India did not respond. Instead, a meeting of foreign ministers from both the sides on the sidelines of UN General Assembly was cancelled. This incident was followed by Imran Khan’s controversial tweet “Small Men in Big Offices”. However, he later did a U-turn that the tweet was not directed at PM Modi.
Modi did not use Pakistan airspace route to reach Bishkek:
Since Balakot airstrike on February 26, Pakistan had closed its airspace for flight operation. However, after India’s request, it had allowed PM Modi’s aeroplane to fly over Pakistan. It stated that the airspace is open for VIP flights. Later, in a dramatic turn of events, PM Modi took a long route instead of flying over Pakistan. The MEA clarified that they were considering two options for PM’s travel route. A decision was taken that the VVIP aircraft would fly via Oman, Iran and Central Asian countries on the way to Bishkek instead of using the shorter route via Pakistan.
Deepening friendship with China.
PM @narendramodi’s first meeting on the sidelines of the SCO Summit is with President Xi Jinping.
Both leaders are discussing ways to further strengthen bilateral relations. pic.twitter.com/WgrGcsT2L1
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 13, 2019
Imran Khan’s congratulatory phone calls and letters:
In the run-up to Lok Sabha election, Imran Khan, much to everyone’s surprise had wished for the re-election of PM Modi. Last month, after Modi assumed power once again with a thumping majority, Pakistan PM Imran Khan had written a congratulatory letter to him. This was followed by a phone call with the same message. However, Modi seems to have paid no attention to Imran Khan’s efforts.
However, the efforts from Pakistan hit the wall as India was steadfast on its decision of not holding talks until the terror activities stop. The ties between the two countries hit the bottom after Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF soldiers were martyred. The terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad had claimed the responsibility of the attack.
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