ISLAMABAD - Pakistan is likely to walk out from the forthcoming summit on Afghanistan, scheduled to be held in London on January 28, in protest against India being touted to play a greater role in Afghanistan by the West.
“The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has been told to make it very clear to major sponsors of the international conference on Afghanistan scheduled to be held in Dubai (on 26 January) and London (28 January) that Pakistan would never accept India’s major role in reconstruction and rehabilitation process in Afghanistan,” The Nation quoted reliable sources, as saying.
Islamabad is also expected to convey its reservations over the issue to US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, who would be arriving here along with a 125-member delegation on Thursday (today).
“Pakistani delegation would walk out of the London Conference in case something goes wrong with its interests in the region,” sources quoted Qureshi, as saying.
When enquired about Pakistan’s reported stand, Qureshi, however, said that he is ‘unaware’ of New Delhi being offered any major role in Afghanistan.
He rebuked the notion of Pakistan boycotting the London conference.
“Pakistan is going to cooperate with the world community with an open heart and mind and we are going to play a major role in Afghanistan,” Qureshi said. (ANI)
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