ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asked his Indian counterpart Naren­d­ra Modi on Monday to make disaster management cooperation part of their bilateral agenda.

“I believe closer collaboration in disaster management should be part of our agenda of peace and development in the region,” Prime Minister Sharif said in a letter to Mr Modi. However, he stayed clear of any hint of a thaw in the stalled peace process.

Mr Sharif’s letter was in reply to an earlier missive by the Indian prime minister expressing concern over flooding in Pakistan due to torrential rains.

Mr Modi had in his letter offered assistance for flood victims in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Sharif responded by saying that the offer was “equally thoughtful”. He further noted that “such solidarity in the face of adversity is indeed valuable”.

The exchange between the two prime ministers assumed added significance because it was the first direct communication between them since India cancelled last month foreign secretaries’ talks on the pretext that the Pakistani High Commissioner in New Delhi had consulted Kashmiri leaders ahead of the planned meeting in Islamabad.

The dialogue process has remained suspended since January last year because of hostilities along the Line of Control.

Ironically the two sides, in the letters exchanged by their prime ministers, expressed concern over devastation in Kashmir on both sides of the Line of Control and offered assistance to each other.

“As we chart a course to advance our common goals of peace and stability, we must also focus on addressing the deeper causes of recurrent floods and on strengthening the preparedness and resilience of our communities against natural calamities,” Mr Sharif said.

He spoke of the “human suffering and physical destruction” he saw during his visit to Kashmir and said he could feel the misery of the people living on the other side of the Line of Control.

“I am aware that the Kashmiris on the other side of the Line of Control have also faced heavy loss of life and material damage. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this difficult time, and we remain prepared to extend a helping hand, in whatever way possible, to the efforts for their relief and rehabilitation,” Mr Sharif said.

Mr Modi had in his letter expressed similar sentiments.

“It is a matter of great distress that the retreating monsoon rains have played havoc in many parts of our two countries,” the Indian premier wrote to his counterpart on Sunday.

“The devastation caused by the record rains and the consequent flooding is unprecedented,” he told Mr Sharif but gave no hint if the two might meet on the margins of the annual UN General Assembly session in New York later this month.

Mr Modi, who made an aerial survey of the devastated region, has earmarked an additional 10 billion rupees ($166 million) of relief.

The deadly flooding has for now overshadowed rising tension in Kashmir.

India last month called off the first formal talks with Pakistan in two years, citing the Pakistan high commissioner’s decision to meet Kashmiri separatist groups. Pakistan said the meeting followed “a longstanding practice”.

Mr Modi in his letter offered “any assistance that you may need in the relief efforts that will be undertaken by the government of Pakistan,” adding “our resources are at your disposal wherever you need them”.

Published in Dawn, September 9th , 2014