Goa:
FM Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that it is up to India to make things easier for talks between Pakistan and India.
During an interview with the BBC, Bhutto made it clear that Pakistan’s position depends on India reversing the serious steps it took in August 2019.
Until then, he said, it’s hard for the two countries to work together. “Bilateral and meaningful interactions are hard to have until India changes the steps for 2019,” he said.
Bilawal’s trip to India is the first time a Pakistani foreign minister has been to Delhi in more than a decade. The trip got a lot of attention from the media in both countries. The two nuclear-capable countries have fought three wars, have cold relations, and have lowered their diplomatic ties.
The foreign minister said that it was up to India to make a good environment for talks. India’s decision to end the special status of IIOJK in 2019 made it harder for the two countries to talk.
When asked about his attendance at the SCO conference in India, Bhutto said that his presence shows how important the SCO forum is to Pakistan. But he made it clear that the other events are not as official as the Council of Foreign Ministers and Heads of State meetings. Even though they are still part of the SCO.
He also said that it was important for Pakistan’s foreign minister to represent the country. Specially at this important meeting and explain Pakistan’s position.
Bhutto stressed that Pakistan’s position on Kashmir and its relationship with India has not changed.
