Pak, Indian PMs had brief chat during CHOGM in London

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi had shaken hands in just concluded Commonwealth Heads of Government’s meeting (CHOGM) in London during the ‘retreat’ before its conclusion and had a brief chat.

Well-placed diplomatic sources told The News here on Monday evening that the two premiers shook hands warmly and inquired after each other’s well-being. They had a brief conversation about the situation prevailing in their respective countries and the region.

The sources said the retreat took place in closed doors and it provided opportunity to Prime Minister Abbasi to agitate the plight of the people in Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) when he spoke to Modi. Abbasi earlier in his address in full house meeting also raised the question of human rights violations in IHK.

Modi, who opted to keep mum about IHK in retreat, instead inquired about the political situation in Pakistan with reference to the upcoming schedule for polls. The sources pointed out that Prime Minister Abbasi had meetings with the presidents/prime ministers of 15 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Bangladesh and Brunei.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has accepted an invitation for visiting Pakistan and he may pay the visit next month. Perhaps, he will be the last head of a foreign country who will pay visit to Pakistan during the Muslim League (PML-N) government.

The sources pointed out that participating leaders of the summit were seated according to a strict protocol. Interestingly, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was seated in third row while Indian Prime Minister Modi got place in the second row. The kings and queens get the first priority in the seating order while presidents come next. The prime ministers come afterwards and they get preference on the basis of the length of holding their office. This protocol was strictly followed in the 25th CHOGM held in London.

The sources said that number of leaders attending the meeting fondly asked about the well-being of former prime minister Pakistan Nawaz Sharif in their meetings with officials, Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Prime Minister Abbasi. They conveyed their greetings to Nawaz Sharif. In all, 54 countries attended the CHOGM and most of the countries were represented by their presidents and prime ministers. Pakistan’s delegation availed the opportunity to highlight its country’s standpoint on various issues interest to the world, the sources added.