MEA sidesteps Pakistani reports on back-channel dialogue

‘Our respective High Commissions exist and are functioning. That is a very effective channel of communication,’ says Spokesperson

The Indian and Pakistani High Commissions in Islamabad and Delhi, respectively, are an “effective channel of communication” said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), sidestepping a slew of media reports on a “back-channel dialogue” between the two countries that are discussing a number of initiatives. On Thursday, two Pakistani news sites reported that the current round of negotiations allegedly date as far back as to 2018, and that Indian and Pakistan officials discussed, amongst other things, the possibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending a SAARC summit in Pakistan in October 2021. Also read: “Our respective High Commissions exist and are functioning. That is a very effective channel of communication. Regarding speculation about SAARC summit, I have nothing to share with you at the moment,” MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told journalists when asked about the reports by a number of Indian and international news media quoting unnamed senior government officials that have suggested the is being overseen by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa, and that they have been facilitated by other countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE).