India-Pakistan Bilateral Series Soon? Here's What MEA Said

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday dismissed reports that cricket featured in the recent talks between Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar during the official lunch hosted by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. Notably, reports surfaced that Jaishankar and Dar held only informal talks over cricket. "The reports that you saw were not accurate. No such talks of that sort happened," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. Since 2008's Asia Cup, India has not played any cricket tournaments in Pakistan due to tense ties between both nations because of terrorism.A series played from December 2012 to January 2013 in India was the final bilateral series between India and Pakistan. Since then, both nations have only clashed at ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup. With Pakistan set to host the ICC Champions Trophy next year, it is still uncertain whether India will travel to Pakistan to compete in the marquee event.Jaishankar's Pakistan Visit:On Wednesday, Delivered India's national statement at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting on Wednesday. Taking to X, Jaishankar had said, "SCO needs to be able and adept at responding to challenges facing us in a turbulent world."Jaishankar highlighted five points during his address at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting.Sushma Swaraj was the last Indian Foreign Minister who visited Islamabad in December 2015. Jaishankar's visit to Pakistan gained significance as it is considered a major decision by New Delhi.(With inputs from ANI)