Qureshi says never stated Krishna was on phone during talks

Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Jul 18 (PTI) After making carping comments on
his talks with India's External Affairs Minister S M Krishna,
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said he
never stated that his Indian counterpart was on the phone with
New Delhi during their parleys on Thursday.
He, however, claimed that other members of the Indian
delegation were receiving instructions on phone from New Delhi
throughout the parleys.
"I never said Krishna himself was making calls (to New
Delhi)," Qureshi told reporters at the Foreign Office Saturday
night after addressing a joint news conference with visiting
British Minister Sayeeda Warsi.
The Pakistan Foreign Minister was responding to a
question on the war of words that erupted between him and
Krishna in the wake of the talks on July 15 during which sharp
differences arose over a roadmap and timeframe for future
engagements.
Qureshi contended that whenever he and Krishna agreed on
any issue during their talks here on Thursday, a member of the
Indian delegation would leave the room to confer with New
Delhi and seek instructions.
The Indian delegate, who left the room, would then return
and convey a message to Krishna, he said.
The Indian side would then say that the matter that had
been raised was outside their "restricted mandate," Qureshi
said.
The Pakistan Foreign Minister said there were about 15 to
20 people in the room where the talks were being held and they
could vouch for his comments.
Qureshi further said that he and Krishna had "agreed on
many issues" during informal talks over dinner the night
before their parleys.
However, things changed during the formal talks on July
15, he said.
He further clarified that he had not said that Krishna
had come to Islamabad with no mandate.
"What I said is that he had a restricted mandate,"
Qureshi said.

When Pakistan was prepared to listen to all issues raised
by India, why was New Delhi not prepared to listen to
Islamabad's concerns, Qureshi wondered.
Qureshi also said he did not have "any doubt" about
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Krishna's positive
attitude and desire to improve relations with Pakistan.
The Pakistani Foreign Minister's comments on Friday that
Krishna had repeatedly received instructions from New Delhi
during their talks had sparked a heated response from the
Indian side.
Krishna had made it clear that he had never spoken on
phone during the parleys but said it was the usual practice
for Foreign Ministers to be in touch with their governments
during diplomatic discussions. PTI RHL