PM Narendra Modi, Nawaz Sharif to shake hands in Kathmandu

Islamabad/New Delhi: Pakistani officials have said there will be a “handshake” between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi but there is little chance of a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a regional summit later this month in Nepal.

The two Prime Ministers are scheduled to attend the summit of the Saarc in Kathmandu on November 26 and 27. “There will be a formal handshake but no bilateral meeting is planned as yet,” said a senior government official.

“At this stage neither side has shown any interest in arranging a bilateral meeting between the two leaders,” he added.

Meanwhile, India on Monday strongly condemned the dastardly terrorist attack at Wagah, saying there was no grievance or political goal so great as to justify it. The MEA said India’s “prayers will remain with the families of the victims, who we hope will be granted the courage and fortitude to overcome this irreparable loss.”