Kashmir...

Pakistani officials said the highlight of Qureshi’s visit will be his speech at the General Assembly on September 29, during which he will speak on the new government’s priorities and its position on issues, including Kashmir, particularly in the aftermath of the UN’S report on rights violations.

India has described the report as a compilation of “largely unverified information” and said it violates the country’s sovereignty and integrity. The Pakistani delegation will highlight what it calls “Indian interference”. The other key challenge, according to Pakistani officials, is US President Donald Trump’s lack of interest in the UN and his proposed cuts in funding for the world body that will make it impossible for the organisation to continue with its essential operations. Trump has also cracked down on Pakistan for failing to do enough to counter terrorism by suspending security-related aid worth nearly $2 billion.

The meeting of the Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers was announced at the request of Prime Minister Imran Khan but New Delhi called it off, angrily blaming Khan’s “evil” agenda of promoting terrorism and talks at the same time. Asked about Khan’s equally sharp reaction – “small men who occupy big offices” – Akbaruddin said he and his office deal with multilateral issues and bilateral ties will be addressed bilaterally. Swaraj is set to speak before her Pakistani counterpart. It was easier last year and the year before. Swaraj, representing India, spoke after former premiers Nawaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and returned the fire. India has marched ahead and created IITS, IIMS and AIIMS and “produced scholars, doctors, engineers and scientists”, Swaraj said in 2017. “What have you produced? You have produced terrorists and terrorist camps.” She went on to name a few of the groups – Lashkar-e-taiba, Jaish-e-mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen and the Haqqani Network. “Why is it that today India is a recognised IT superpower in the world, and Pakistan is recognised only as the pre-eminent export factory for terror?” In 2016, Swaraj addressed a situation somewhat similar to the one confronting her and her advisers now – the charge from Sharif that India was ignoring a peace offer. “We have in fact attempted a paradigm of friendship in the last two years which is without precedent,” she had said.

Swaraj has the chance to change the narrative this year. If Pakistan misses the cue, India has the right-to-reply rule of General Assembly debates, which allow countries singled out in an attack to defend themselves, which it has done effectively in the past. Speaking at a news conference in Washington, Qureshi said Islamabad will “not close our doors” to peace efforts. “Hiding away from issues will not make them disappear. It will not improve the situation in Kashmir,” he said. He charged India with using incidents in July and decisions from before the Imran Khan government took office to cancel the planned meeting. India called off the meeting citing killings by terrorists and Pakistan issuing postal stamps honouring terrorist Burhan Wani. Qureshi also charged India with using undiplomatic language in the statement about calling off the meeting. “We did not use non-diplomatic language in our rejoinder. Our response was mature and measured. They adopted a new approach, and moved back,” he said. He said he found India’s position confusing. “Engagement, no-engagement. Coming, not coming. We desired talks as we believe the sensible way is to meet and talk. They agreed, and then disagreed,” he added.