Pakistan desires meaningful dialogue with India: Nawaz

E-Paper | July 19, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that Pakistan wanted ties with India on the basis of “dignity, self-respect and honour” and desires a “meaningful dialogue to resolve all issues including Kashmir”.

Speaking to media representatives, accompanying him to the 18th SAARC summit on board PM's special aircraft, he said he twice shook hands with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and exchanged pleasantries.

However, he said that India should not have cancelled the Foreign Secretary level talks in August as was agreed upon during his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, following his swearing in at New Delhi.

The prime minister said that Kashmiri leaders had been contacted in the past, whenever Pakistan-India talks were held. He said this was nothing new as “we have to seek the opinion of the Kashmiri leaders, on an issue that concerns them the most”.

Sharif said Pakistan has always desired a meaningful dialogue with India with sincerity and wants it to be reciprocated from the other side. However, he categorically stated that if India wants to restore ties, Kashmir issue must be discussed with full sincerity.

The premier recalled the number of deaths in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir due to the unprovoked firing by Indian troops along the Line of Control (LoC) and even the Working Boundary.

To a query, he said the issue would also be taken up with India when the talk process resumes.

He said people of Pakistan have rejected the politics of negativity as they know who was sincere to the welfare of the masses and committed to the progress and development of Pakistan.

PM Sharif said Pakistan was again on path of progress and mentioned successful launch of the Sukuk bond that fetched one billion dollars. He said the prices of commodities were on the decline and people would get benefits soon.

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Sunil

Nov 28, 2014 07:27pm

Again the same sentence, meaningful dialogue and resolution of Kashmir. Just get over it, and move forward. Your Pakistan needs development, security, and peace within.

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tayyaba

Nov 28, 2014 07:28pm

If they also want

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Gaurav Arya

Nov 28, 2014 07:37pm

Nawaz Sharif sahab, please don't keep mentioning everyday about talks with India. It makes you look desperate. Forget about talks. Modi government has categorically said that you need to take a call whether you want to speak to separatists or Govt of India. You responded a few days later by saying that you will always speak to separatists before speaking to Govt of India. Now since you have taken a call and made clear your stand, please stick with it. There is no point in mentioning it again and again.

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Harish Chandra

Nov 28, 2014 07:47pm

How could it be possible as both the countries are living in the bubble they created? Since independence, leaders have been creating hatred among the citizens of the other country for their political advantage. If people of India and Pakistan consider we all are brothers and sisters who have the same roots and got separated in a family feud, and the best solution for all is reconciliation based on consensuses. However, the Kashmir problem needs to be solved not based on what India and Pakistan government desires, but the Kashmiri's wants.

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Rajab Ali

Nov 28, 2014 08:08pm

Government should establish it credibility among the people of Pakistan before expressing desire to talk with india.

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Hina

Nov 28, 2014 08:16pm

Work hard for unity among leaders of Islamic countries by initiating secret meetings among limited leaders like President of turkey, Ayatollah of Iran, and many others for peaceful unity with no aggression against each other. Thus Muslim nations presently bleeding may work for broader cause.

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M.Saeed

Nov 28, 2014 08:53pm

We must have something practical and new for any meaningful dialogue. Apparently, we are trying to climb to the mountain-top in a single jump. Perhaps, we must try climbing in steps, joining hands for a change instead of pulling legs. If there is will, a way cannot be far.

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Rizwan

Nov 28, 2014 09:06pm

but they don't , bitter but true

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zak the supreme

Nov 28, 2014 09:15pm

at our terms.

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Awais Ali

Nov 28, 2014 09:21pm

Its not Imran Khan,s personal agenda its the agenda of 200 million people of Pakistan because people like you have been snatched even the power of their VOTES

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Allaisa

Nov 28, 2014 09:24pm

So talk to India. Simple?

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Pakistan First

Nov 28, 2014 09:25pm

Mr. PM, you are NOT willing to have meaningful dialogue in your country, how you can say for India? You have series of talks with PTI and now you and your team backed out?

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Bilal B

Nov 28, 2014 09:25pm

“dignity, self-respect and honour” he shouldn't be mentioning any of those as he himself has non. pathetic leadership

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Aftab

Nov 28, 2014 09:56pm

Never talk when you are winning. The correct posture to Modi is what Nawaz adopted in Kathmandu. Let India request first and then only we should consider.

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Kashif

Nov 28, 2014 10:26pm

@Aftab Let us wait for ever than.

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Pakistani

Nov 28, 2014 10:30pm

Go Nawaz Go

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Ahmed

Nov 28, 2014 10:55pm

This guys is not good enough. Period.

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Nov 28, 2014 11:13pm

Meaningful dialogue since 65 years UNO meaningless SIMLA meaningless.ful has become less. both countries rule a portion but demand full.to me both are dreaming coz kashmiries dont want to remain with either.we will keep on fighiting untill there will be total destruction.lndia pak will be losers. kashmir will arise.

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salim

Nov 28, 2014 11:14pm

india should not talk till guns are silent and atmosphere is conducive... agree with nawaz... let us wait till situation improve

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Merc

Nov 28, 2014 11:34pm

You can't go far with your life by only having a DESIRE Mr Nawaz. Do something concrete instead of showing us your desire.

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Abhi

Nov 28, 2014 11:50pm

Pakistan needs to be more matured as a nation.

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Nov 29, 2014 12:29am

On the upcoming November 30 rally of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, the prime minister said that Khan was pursuing a personal agenda which was targeting the progress and development of Pakistan. What about Musharaf isn't that being personal. What progress and development is he talking about Oh it's the Raiwand mansion.

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Chi ben

Nov 29, 2014 12:48am

Big brother India, You have shown that you are bigger. We admit that. Now, can you please sit down with us and let us talk. There is nothing in this world that cannot be resolved by talking. The great poet from Delhi, India Mr. Nida Fazli has said-Dushmani laakh sahi khaTm na keeje rishta,Dil mile ya na mile haath milaate rahiye. India is our big brother, a part and parcel of Indus Valley Civilization.

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Chi ben

Nov 29, 2014 12:49am

Dushmani laakh sahi, khaTm na keeje rishta Dil mile ya na mile, haath milaate rahiye--------------------------Nida Fazli

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Mortal

Nov 29, 2014 01:19am

Nawaz Sharif is starting to sound like a broken record. How many times will he say the same thing!

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A shah

Nov 29, 2014 05:14am

Yawn!

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P Setra

Nov 29, 2014 05:38am

@Aftab Do Pakistanis have complex that India looks down upon them? Seems to be a misguided prestige issue. The facts indicate that Pakistan has a lot to gain from friendship. Pakistani Army probably has just the opposite opinion. Political leadership probably would not be able to accomplish anything if Pakistani Army is not aboard. Its about time Pakistani Army look into facts.

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Bharat

Nov 29, 2014 05:46am

PM. The reason you signed th Simla agreement is because you did not want a referendum in pakistani Kashmir Then your army needed to make more money so you started the terrorists war Now We have found out that 80% of your budget goes to the army and debt reduction However you have not bothered to tell your countrymen. Start by discarding this 'Taquia' and being honest Incidentally, India with more honesty in in's politics and the budget, does not ca about your budget

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P Setra

Nov 29, 2014 06:28am

@Sunil In last 67 years what they have already accomplished, as compared with India is- Literacy: 20%lower, per capita GDP: $1000 lower, so on and so forth. They know their priorities, Army knows its priorities, traders know theirs,militants know theirs. It is tug of war among these because of weak leadership.

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Satyameva Jayate

Nov 29, 2014 06:31am

1. There can NEVER be a MEANINGFUL dislogue if the PM is NOT in charge of Defence Policy, Foreign Policy and the Intelligence Agency. 2. India has made it amply clear that ", "No MEANIBGFUL dialogue is possible till Pak-GHQ announces the new policy to shoot anyone trying to illegally cross the LOC." Pak has always made the wrong choices, and it most likely going to repeat the history.

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Dr Malaria Prasad

Nov 29, 2014 06:33am

Pakistan and Meaningful ! What a joke !!

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czar

Nov 29, 2014 06:52am

@Gaurav Arya Agree

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V K Das

Nov 29, 2014 06:56am

What is the meaning of "meaningful dialogue"? If it is handing over Kashmir to Pakistan you can forget about it.Pakistan must accept realities of the ground situation or be prepared to live in perpetual hostility. Choice is Pakistan's.

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czar

Nov 29, 2014 07:00am

Stop talking to media with same repeating statements. Earn the dignity and respect before you demand. Where is your foreign minister to do the talking? oh wait his majesty never appointed one.

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Nov 29, 2014 07:15am

@Hina that is a joke....is it not

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Vish

Nov 29, 2014 07:20am

Nawaz Sharif needs a reality check. The leaders of China and the US don't bother to talk with him. Why would India? The fact is that Kashmir has become a non issue over the past five years with rapidly increasing voter participation in elections and significantly less violence. Besides why would Kashmir want to be with Pakistan, an isolated state which is considered the centre of terrorism and an economic basket case? Let the PM first try to talk with Imran Khan if he is willing. Pakistan must first strengthen its democracy and economy instead of building castles in the air.

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Gaurav Arya

Nov 29, 2014 07:22am

@Aftab - Aftab, has Modi even once said that he wants to talk? Have you read any comment from anyone in India saying that there should be talks with Pakistan? Nawaz Sharif has taken a decision of talking to Hurriyat first. So he should now be brave and stick to his words., Sir.

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Dr. Abdul Manan

Nov 29, 2014 07:24am

Dear PM, You are representing us. Please, treat Indian keeping our dignity and pride first as you did and are doing. We are with you our representer Sir.

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Anjaan

Nov 29, 2014 07:42am

Truth to be told in plain language ... the people of India have to move on despite Pakistan's Kashmir issue (bogey). The Pakistani leadership may either keep the Kashmir issue alive for their own political reasons, as long as they may want ... or move on ... the choice is entirely with Pakistan ... !!

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MSAlvi

Nov 29, 2014 07:47am

I watched a tv program on Dunya News TV. It was copresented by politicians and journalist from both sides. I was surprised by the aggressive attitude on Indian side. Indian politicians made some very strong statements: "Kashmir is an integral part of India, we do not want to talk about this issue", "We will teach a lesson to Pakistan", "India and Pakistan are not two brothers; they are mother and son, because we gave birth to Pakistan and expect that Pakistan be obedient to India". I honestly believe that Pakistan was prudent to develop nuclear weapons on time, which has served as a true deterrent. India believes that whole of Kashmir (on both sides of line of control) belongs to India. One Indian leader on the program said, "Pakistan must take its armies out of Kashmir, India moves its army into Azad Kashmir, and then have plebiscite. It was truly outrageous.

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Srini

Nov 29, 2014 08:15am

dialogue with India is meaningful. But remember.... dialogue with those separatists is really meaningless.

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Justice4All

Nov 29, 2014 08:19am

Mr.Sharif, What business does Pakistan have in Kashmir ? Pakistan has its portion of Kashmir and India has its portion. Get over it and start thinking about developing Pakistan. Bashing India can help you cover up your miserable governance for sometime, but you won't be able to continue like this for long. If some common sense exists, it is a well known fact that Self-respect, dignity and honor of Pakistan is long gone and it would take a marathon effort to build it again. China may look like your friend but they will take up your land cm by cm.

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Ahmed

Nov 29, 2014 10:23am

Tell India to , " Lay off " as Musharraf did in 2002 stand off. Stop even mentioning or Track 2 diplomacy with India. Wait for one thousand years & Let them request for talks if they wish to. Nawaz Sharif ! Can you please tell me is there any Head of Govt anywhere in the world including the most corrupt in Africa , who has so many of his relatives in Cabinet , Provinces & State Corpns ? Your name should be listed of GB of Records.

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Gaurav Arya

Nov 29, 2014 10:34am

@Hina - There has been very little friendship among Muslim countries in the past 1000 years. And you are hoping that Nawaz has the caliber to bind them together?

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auginpk

Nov 29, 2014 11:22am

What can be talked with Mr.Nawaz Sharif, he can not take any decision without backing of Pakistani army. All his agreement, accord with India have to be vetted by the army. On any issue with respect to India, he is powerless. Till he can really rein in Pakistani army he can only talk. It is the situation of Indian Government that they cannot have any meaningful dialogue with Pakistan. When Indian PM Mr.A.B.Vajpayee met Mr.Nawaz Sharif at Lahore the Pakistani army were executing their plan in Kargil. Mr.Nawaz Sharif may or may not have known that. If that can be taken as history, which it is not yet, Mr.Nawaz Sharif can not ask army to stop their operation against India. He cannot even tell the army to stop firing against India even for one day. So, where is the honour, dignity and all those big words. Therefore, so far India is concerned any meaningful dialogue can be had with Pakistan only when the army is in the control of Civilian government or they have been taken aboard. Reining in the army is beyond the capabilities of Pakistani civilian government and discussing diplomatic issues with Pakistani army will not be accepted by the India. So, what can we have, Indian & Pakistani Presidents and Prime-Minster can exchange pleasantries in various forums, accuse each other of insincerity and what not and have good time.

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