Modi looking forward to visiting Pak for SAARC: Indian envoy

Karachi, Sep 6 (PTI) In comments that may not go down wellwith the establishment back home, Indian High Commissioner toPakistan Gautam Bambawale was today quoted by a leadingnewspaper as saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi islooking forward to visiting Islamabad for the SAARC Summit. The remarks coming in the midst of a new chill inbilateral ties were sought to be downplayed by sources in theIndian government which said no decision has been taken on thePrime Minister’s participation in the summit slated forNovember. Bambawale, who was attending an interactive sessionorganised by the Karachi Council on Foreign Relationsyesterday, was quoted as saying by Dawn News that, "I can’tsay about the future but as of today, Prime Minister(Narendra) Modi is looking forward to visiting Islamabad forthe SAARC summit in November this year." His remarks have caused quite a stir given the fact thatboth the countries were engaged in a fierce verbal battle overterrorism and the situation in Kashmir. While India hasaccused Pakistan of supporting cross border terrorism,Pakistan, on its part, has been trying to internationaliseKashmir, alleging New Delhi of human rights violations. Incidentally, Modi made a sharp attack on Pakistan at theG20 summit in China yesterday, saying, "one single nation" inSouth Asia is spreading "agents of terror" and demanded thatthose who sponsor the menace must be sanctioned and isolated,not rewarded. According to Bambawale, even while tensions were highbetween the two nations, there had been contacts at theoperational level, Dawn News said. Bambawale also called for greater bilateral trade ties andsaid political issues will take time to resolve. During the interaction, Bambawale also took a swipe atPakistan over its interference in Kashmir which was aninternal matter of India, saying people living in glass housesshould not be throwing stones at others. On Prime Minister Modi’s recent statement on Balochistanduring his Independence Day speech, the Indian envoy said,"The Prime Minister, in his August 15 speech, only referred tothe letters he had received." "There are problems in both India and Pakistan and you(Pakistan) should focus on resolving your problems beforelooking into the problems of other countries," he added. Bambawale said the Indian government has been saying,"Let’s work together to get to the bottom of terrorism whichis a headache not only for Pakistan, but for India and theworld." He said the two countries should not be talking on justone issue, but on all issues. PTI CORR/SH ASK PYK VSCASK