A day after leaders of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) nations were invited for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in on Thursday, Pakistan tried to downplay India’s decision not to invite Prime Minister Imran Khan for the ceremony. AdvertisingPakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told Dawn news, “”His (Prime Minister Modi’s) entire focus (during the election campaign) was on Pakistan-bashing. In May 2014, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif raised hopes for a new beginning in the bilateral relationship when he had attended Modi’s swearing-in ceremony. If he (Modi) wants development of this region… the only way is to sit with Pakistan to find a solution. “It is in the interest of Pakistan to defuse tensions… Pakistan did not create tension,” Qureshi added.

Source: Indian Express May 28, 2019 06:44 UTC