FM Qureshi says diplomacy, dialogue necessary for peace in South Asia

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi tweeted on Thursday that enduring peace and prosperity in South Asia would remain elusive without good-faith diplomacy and result-oriented dialogue.

The minister added the focus of Pakistan’s foreign policy was sharply calibrated towards greater regional cooperation. “SCO is a platform that can help us address challenges common to us all.”

Qureshi’s came after he concluded his visit to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan for he attended the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). “In the meeting, foreign ministers did the groundwork of summit level engagement which will be held on June 13-14 and will be attended by Prime Minister Imran Khan”

In the video posted along with the tweet, Qureshi provided an overview of the meetings he held on the sidelines. On meeting his Chinese counterpart, Qureshi said they discussed relations with Iran.

The foreign minister said in his meeting with his Russian counterpart, he stressed that Moscow needs to stand with Islamabad. “I informed him about steps taken by Pakistan in regards to FATF and told him what we have done to check money laundering and to tackle terror financing. During the meeting, Afghanistan and the Middle East peace plan were also discussed." 

During his meeting with the Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan foreign ministers, Qureshi said bilateral relations were discussed.

Foreign Minister also had an informal meeting with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj. Speaking after the informal meeting, Qureshi said he cleared it to Swaraj that Pakistan wants resolution of all issues [with India] through consultation.