There was no exchange of pleasantries between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who ignored each other under the same roof at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) informal dinner hosted by Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbay Jeenbekov at Bishkek.
Both PM Modi and Khan are attending the SCO Summit, which began on Thursday, in the Kyrgyz capital along with other member nations.
According to reports, Khan was seated three seats away from the PM Modi at the informal dinner. The two leaders reportedly avoided each other at the dinner.
India has already clarified that there will be no meeting between PM Modi and his Pakistani counterpart at the SCO Summit.
PM Modi had on Thursday held bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In his meeting with Xi, PM Modi made it clear that there was no question of India resuming dialogue with Pakistan until Islamabad created an atmosphere free of terrorism in the region.
He asserted that India has not seen any change in Pakistan’s attitude on dealing with terrorism emanating from its soil. He added that all efforts by New Delhi for peace with Islamabad had been derailed.
On Friday, in his address at the SCO Summit, PM Modi indirectly slammed Pakistan by telling member states that countries that provide encouragement, support, and finances to terrorism must be held accountable.
Imran Khan was present at the time PM Modi made the remarks.
PM Modi also elaborated on his visit to Sri Lanka last week where, he said, he had witnessed the ugly face of terrorism that took away the lives of many innocent people.
Speaking on India’s contribution, PM Modi said India has been a permanent member of the SCO for two years and has given a positive contribution in all the activities of organisation.
The PM reached Bishkek via Oman, Iran and Central Asian countries bypassing Pakistani airspace. The Indian government had initially requested Pakistan to grant exception to PM Modi’s aircraft. Islamabad had acceded to the request but the Indian government then did a change of plans.