New Delhi, November 8
Positive signals are emanating from Pakistan vis-a-vis a multilateral forum like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which may be indicative of a bilateral diplomatic thaw between New Delhi and Islamabad.
Pakistan Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed is flying here on November 10 morning to attend the third SAARC Information Ministers’ conference being hosted by India on November 11 and 12. But the important thing is that Mr Ahmed is coming on an Indian Airlines flight, a move clearly imbued with diplomatic symbolism.
Sources in the Pakistan High Commission here told The Tribune this evening that along with Mr Ahmed, Pakistan’s Education Minister Zobaida Jalal was also coming, though her purpose of visit was different and she would be attending a UN conference.
Besides, it is understood that the Pakistan Government has instructed its High Commission here to ensure that the Pakistani ministers are kept away from the media during their stay in Delhi at least till the SAARC ministerial conference is over so as to avoid any unsavoury controversy clouding Indo-Pak relations. A meeting in the Pakistan High Commission here was held today in this regard.
Moreover, the Pakistani High Commission has “neither sought nor would seek” any appointments for bilateral meetings with the Indian leadership on behalf of the coming Pakistani ministers, sources said. However, the Pakistani ministers would not be averse to meeting the Indian leaders, if invited, sources clarified.
The Pakistani stand matches the Government of India’s oft-repeated policy of not holding bilateral parleys during a multilateral meet like SAARC. Islamabad’s gesture assumes significance as it is hosting the next SAARC summit from January 4 to 6.
On November 10, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Pawan Chopra is hosting a dinner for the conference participants which will be attended by Pakistani officials also. The next day, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad is hosting a dinner which his Pakistani counterpart Sheikh Rashid Ahmed would be attending.
