India does not rule out Modi-Sharif meet at SAARC

India is for cooperative and peaceful ties with Pakistan, says external affairs ministry spokesperson

Don't want to miss the best from Business Standard?

India Sunday did not rule out a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit, saying that he is keen to have meaningful dialogues with as many south Asian leaders as possible.

Answering queries from mediapersons here, external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said India is for cooperative and peaceful ties with Pakistan.

The prime minister is keen "to have meaningful dialogues with as many south Asian colleagues as possible", he said.

"This would mean taking into account all aspects of relationships," he added.

He said the schedule of the bilateral meetings is being finalised, "and it is a work in progress".

"Our intent is to have meaningful dialogues," he said.

Modi will leave here Nov 25 afternoon for the summit in Kathmandu, being held Nov 26-27, and is scheduled to return Nov 27 late evening.