World Bank chief Ajay Banga to visit Uttar Pradesh on Friday

The World Bank on Friday distanced itself from speculation that it will "fix" decades of political and military tension between India and Pakistan. A message from World Bank chief Ajay Banga, shared by the Indian government, said, "We have no role to play beyond (that of) a facilitator."

"There is a lot of speculation in the media about how the World Bank will step in and fix the problem... but it is all bunk. The World Bank's role is merely as a facilitator," Mr Banga said.

The timing of the meeting - a day after India's Operation Sindoor wiped out nine terror camps in Pakistan, and even as India was repulsing Pak missile and drone attacks - raised eyebrows.