PM Modi and Imran Khan exchanged pleasantries at SCO summit: Pakistan foreign minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistan counterpart Imran Khan exchanged usual pleasantries at the Leaders' Lounge during the 19th Shanghai cooperation organisation (SCO) summit which ended on Friday.  

Although no formal meeting took place between the two leaders, the two leaders reportedly greeted each other.   

Confirming the development, Pakistan Foreign Minister SM Qureshi speaking to WION said, "It was an informal exchange and there was an exchange of pleasantries. Pakistani PM congratulated him on his victory and of course, he has come with a heavy mandate by defeating a major political family"

''PM Imran Khan and PM Narendra Modi had chitchat for a few minutes and shook hands during forum gathering. They talked about recent Indian elections,'' a Pakistan journalist also tweeted quoting Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. 

There were seven occasions when both the leaders came across each other starting with informal dinner hosted by Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov and Gala Concert on Thursday to five occasions on Friday. These were photo opp in the morning, followed by restricted format meetings, extended format meeting, final photo opp and lunch.

Ahead of the Summit India had clarified no structured bilateral talks will take place between the two leaders but speculation was rife regarding a pull-aside. 

Prime Minister Modi sought global cooperation on the issue of terror and said unilateralism and protectionism haven't helped anyone, implying recent policy decisions of US of late.