FM Qureshi asks US to play role for talks between Pakistan, India

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday asked the United States to play its role for initiation of dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve all outstanding issues, ARY News reported.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said this in a telephonic conversation with his American counterpart Mike Pompeo.

The two foreign ministers reviewed bilateral relations and peace and stability in the region. Both of them have described end of tension as imperative for peace and stability in South Asia.

The foreign minister informed the US foreign secretary about the measures taken by Pakistan for reducing tension in the region, including release of captive Indian pilot Abhinandan.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States carried special significance for peace and stability in the region. He said the US role for de-escalation in the region was laudable.

He also apprised Mike Pompeo on the steps taken by Pakistan under the National Action Plan (NAP).

The two leaders agreed to continue cooperation on Afghan peace process. They also discussed facilitation being extended by Pakistan for Afghan peace process.

The two sides also agreed on the progress made so far in the Afghanistan peace process in view of the expected visit of United States Special Representative for Afghanistan reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad Zalmay Khalilzad to Pakistan.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said intra-Afghan dialogue was an important component of this reconciliatory process.

He emphasised on promotion of contacts between leadership of Pakistan and the US.