https://indianexpress.com/article/w...white-house-says-only-handshake-5376405/lite/
Qureshi in an interview to the official Pakistani media described it as an "informal meeting" with Trump during which, he claimed, they discussed matters relating to bilateral relations.
- Washington |
- Published on: September 27, 2018 9:22:15 am
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. (Source: AP/File)
Related News
US President Donald Trump shook hands with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi during a luncheon in New York, the White House said, but Qureshi described it as an “informal meeting” when they discussed bilateral ties. The episode happened on Tuesday at a luncheon on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting.
Qureshi in an interview to the official Pakistani media described it as an “informal meeting” with Trump during which, he claimed, they discussed matters relating to bilateral relations. “I met with President Trump at the reception where I had the opportunity to discuss Pak-US relations with him. I requested him to rebuild the cordial relations that we have enjoyed in the past,” Qureshi told Pakistan Television.
Several Pakistani media outlets, including Dawn and Pakistan Tribune, reported the “informal meeting” citing the PTV report. According to official news agency Associated Press of Pakistan, Qureshi received a “positive response” from Trump, who said they intend to “rebuild” the bilateral relations.
However, the White House said only a handshake happened between the two at the luncheon. “It was a handshake at a luncheon with other world leaders,” a National Security Council spokesperson told PTI. Informed sources in New York tracking Trump’s engagement confirmed to PTI that Trump had no meeting with Qureshi and that it was never planned.
The pool of reporters who follow Trump and report about his meetings with the world leaders did not mention the US president’s meeting with Qureshi either. The White House pool, which covered the luncheon, also did not mention Trump having a long chat with Qureshi, which would have had come to the attention of the reporters.
“Spotted: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau briefly approached Trump and shook his hand as Trump stayed seated at the head table just before lunch started,” a White House pool report said. “He (Trump) is shaking hands and mingling,” it said.