“They used the issue of stamps as an excuse, which had been issued before this [PM Imran Khan’s] government came to power. To use something that happened in July to justify their actions in September is inappropriate,” Mr. Qureshi added, before leaving for New York.

Mr. Qureshi and Ms. Swaraj are now likely to be preparing for a face-off at the United Nations next week, where they are expected to be present at the same venue on a number of occasions. The two Foreign Ministers are also scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly on September 29.

The two South Asian neighbours have squared off at the U.N. in previous years as well, with India repeatedly raising the issue of terrorism emanating from Pakistan, and Pakistan flagging alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

On September 27, the two ministers are set to attend a luncheon meeting of the SAARC council, which could also see some flashpoints. Although SAARC events are normally expected to focus on South Asian issues and not feature bilateral matters, Mr. Qureshi has indicated that he would be raising the Kashmir dispute over the course of the week, including at the “Kashmir Contact Group” of the OIC on September 28. In particular, he indicated to reporters that Pakistan intends to raise the June report of the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) — which was the first ever U.N. report on Jammu and Kashmir and criticised India for human rights violations in the State — asserting that the findings “could not be dismissed”. Government sources in New Delhi brushed aside Mr. Qureshi’s statement, observing that Pakistan “raises Kashmir every year.”

Courtesy: Hindu: 22nd Sep 2018