PM Khan responds to Modi 'in positive spirit' to resume talks, resolve all issues
Prime Minister Imran Khan has written a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for the resumption of the peace dialogue between the two countries, Times of India reported on Thursday.
"PM has responded to PM Modi, in a positive spirit, reciprocating his sentiments," shared Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal on Twitter, without specifying whether the communication was via a letter. "Let’s talk and resolve all issues. We await formal response from India."
According to Times of India, PM Khan specifically sought a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York later this month.
During yesterday's weekly briefing, Dr Faisal had said ─ while responding to a question about the chances of a bilateral meeting between the FMs on the sidelines of the UNGA ─ that no decision had yet been taken on it. "We are engaged in the matter," he said.
The letter from the premier is a response to Modi's communique earlier this month to PM Khan, seeking "meaningful and constructive" engagement between the two neighbours.
The TOI news report quoted diplomatic sources as saying that PM Khan in his letter called for the resumption of the comprehensive dialogue process between the two countries. Khan wrote that India and Pakistan should resolve all outstanding issues, including terrorism and Kashmir, through dialogue.
Steps for better ties
Last month, the then prime minister-elect Imran Khan in his victory speech had expressed his desire to "improve relations with India, if their leadership also wants it".
"If they take one step towards us, we will take two, but we at least need a start," he had said.
Subsequently, Indian premier Modi had telephoned him to convey that Delhi was "ready to enter a new a new era of relations with Pakistan".
Modi had said both countries should adopt a joint strategy for progress in bilateral ties. The PTI chairman had expressed same views during his first meeting with the Indian envoy after the July 25 election and had pushed for the "resumption of talks between Pakistan and India".
Last month, following a visit by Navjot Singh Sidhu to Pakistan for the prime minister's oath-taking ceremony, PM Khan took to Twitter to once again invite India to dialogue and pursue peace, terming it the "best way to alleviate poverty and uplift the people of the subcontinent".
"To move forward, Pakistan and India must dialogue and resolve their conflicts, including Kashmir," the premier was quoted as saying.
"The best way to alleviate poverty and uplift the people of the subcontinent is to resolve our differences through dialogue and start trading."
'Dialogue only way forward'
Newly appointed Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had also made clear in his first press conference after assuming office that he would pursue dialogue with the neighbouring rival as a way forward.
"Us coming to the table and talking peace is our only option. We need to stop the adventurism and come together. We know the issues are tough and will not be solved overnight, but we have to engage," Qureshi had said. "We cannot turn our cheek. Yes we have outstanding issues. Kashmir is a reality; it is an issue that both our nations acknowledge."
"We need a continued and uninterrupted dialogue. This is our only way forward," he had stressed.
"We may have a different approach and line of thinking, but I want to see a change in how we behave," he had added. "India and Pakistan have to move forward keeping realities before them."
Comments (73) Closed
Please revisit ground, understand reality, demonstrate sincerity and come to table with people having real authority.
Yesterday PM spoke with Saudi king on India administered Kashmir... Today he writes a letter to Indian counterpart. Either he is passing time or want to ride two boats at a time. Kashmir policy by pak and peace talks with india are two completely different paths
I am for full normalization of ties in the spirit of mutual trust and friendship. But I do not believe BJP-government is interested and Kashmiris will never back down after what they have suffered and are still suffering.
Good initiative. Dialogue is the way forward for resolving both internal and external issues. It will be good to have good relationships with all our neighbors.
Now lets hope that this development leads to first cease Indian Barbarianism in Indian-held Kashmir, and then to resolve Kashmir Issue once and for all.
Kashmir is a reality indeed. but there are many more realities like poverty, crime facing india and pakistan which are way bigger than kashmir. do business and talk kashmir too. only kashmir or only business will lead to nowhere
India Govt. is rather very practical in its approach. They may prefer to hold talks with your Army instead...
Good initiative from Khan.
IMran khan wil talk about the wider interest of both countries rather than personal business like Sharifs did...
gr8 step
Are civil and military on the same page here ? One mutilated body of BSF jawan was found on LOC. If peace has to begin such actions need to stop first.
If NS done this, he will surely be called as Traitor..
Very good. Hope this dialogue don't get stuck on some Kashmir issue.
Just talks will not help build trust. Both countries need to act to convince the other of their good intentions. The terrorism must end before any 'meaningful and constructive' talks can take place.
All talks must be on equal and mutual respect basis, and all disputed issues including occupied Kashmir, restricting water flow to Pakistan, human rights and regional peace issues must be sincerely discussed in a cordial enviorment. Otherwise, it will be another failed attempt that will provide an opportunity to blame each other.
No comment on inhuman treatment of soldier captured ? Peace cannot exist when such acts keep happening.
Modi is known for changing his mind all the time. No harm in trying.
Good Step, however if Nawaz Sharif did same during his tenure,that step might not be appreciated.
Why was he blaming the Nawaz government for the same?
Agenda should be built for meaningful and constructive dialogue without questioning each other's sovereignty.
Thank you Mr. Khan. But it is important that you come with COAS Gen Bajwa and most importantly the social worker for Pakistan (UN designated). We hope to resolve all issues soon.
@Khan. Not only NS passed time in this area.. parcel also visited and had some well stacked lunch without any good outcome.
The Modi led BJP government has flared anti Pakistan sentiment so much in India that I feel it would be very hard for Indian government to engage in dialogue with pakistan. Also next general elections to lok sabha are round the corner, so I don't see any window for dialogue opening up. Because anti pakistani sentiments sell like hot cakes in elections in India. BJP in order to win elections would not enter into dialogue.
@Surya Kant Agrawal: Real authority comes with real democratic dispensation.
Let us agree on a moratorium of 5 years and allow the tempers to cool before starting a tension free dialogue.
Unfortunately its up to army not PM Khan and thats been for last 70 years ! so expect no change !
Pakistan is moving in right direction?
@Khan. - Nawaz was only interested in personal interests. We know all about his covert meetings in Pakistan. He never spoke about Kashmiris plight.
Real person who has authority in policy making should involve in talk. Till then better don't talk.
A dialogue doesn't mean that India will make any compromises on its territorial integrity which includes Kashmir. As long as Pakistan understands that, we can have a meaningful dialogue otherwise its an excercise in futility.
Dont waste your time Mr Khan. Indian PM has much more important stuff look into
@Shyam, better call spade a real spade. Kashmir was an unfinished agenda of the British which was conspired between Vice Roy Mountbatten and Nehru. That is a fact well accepted by the history and further confirmed by Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.
It will not resume. Indian government will reject. Don’t expect.
@Shah there was congress govt for 10 years in pasr, why dint u solved kashmir issue that time?
Very good initiative from Pakistan but will the powers behind both countries allow them to progress as friendship between both countries will damage their arms deals
To be honest, the words coming from the Pakistani PM and FM has a different tone and substance to it. When new regime comes in either of the two countries, there is always an opportunity to try something new. Unfortunately last few times, it fizzled out. Let us hope for the best.
Dear Mr Imran Khan, We respect your emotion.but have doubt, are you really in a position to decide something important like this on your own diplomatically?
It is a proposal by Pakistan PM and not Indian PM.
India is yet to revert.
Frankly, there is no need for such formal dialogues, Pakistan's position is very bad economically. India has never attacked Pakistan and hence Pakistan should concentrate on internal improvements. Best is to follow Iron curtain policy of China. No news is good news, No contact is better for both nations.
Resolve all disputes on table. Indian and Pakistan side should behave like statesmen and bring peace and prosperity to the Subcontinent.
@Ashok Kumar Singhal , I am not worried about you. However, I want my Sikh brothers an sisters to visit our part of Punjab without any difficulty. It is the Punjabis who have suffered most because of the inflexibility of establishments in both India and Pakistan.
If Afghanistan problem is resolved toward sustainable peace and relations with India are improved enough with opening of borders, IK could remain PM for the next tenure also. If not, things will go futher worst. Hard exam.
Talk and resolve the issues is always better than war
Modi has still not responded to Imran Khan's proposal.
@Shah You've got part of that right!
There is no need of any peace talking. This is just wastage of time, money and energy. Its better that both the countries should focus on its own development.
@Shah Kashmiris will stop suffering with reunification.
Take permission.
Lets not jump to conclusions! First lets see if India is willing to come to the table for a dialogue?
Big talk. End result zero. Kashmir is a core issue, would India sincerely allow the citizens of Kashmir the right to Self Determination, which is guaranteed in the UN Charter.
Whatever the situation, the doors of dialogue should never be closed. They will only bring some positive result.
Let's hope some maturity and commitment from both the sides.
Our countries are at peace and developing well. What is there to discuss other than declaring stated positions and having dinners?
@Shah - please advise this to your PM...
Good move
Talks possible on creation of conducive environment
India welcomes talks on conducive environment
The twisting of facts already started. Imran Khan has written to Modi requesting resumption of dialogue.
while the rulers do not want to accept the resolution made by their countris authorise elected selected and world recognise pm in the case of simla and lahore declaration as it a bilateral talk . if rulers of this country will not accept then which country willcome for business. down pl . who will trust ?
@FIDA SAYANI gee, perhaps if the so called honest ones went forward with the truth you wouldn't have this discussion yearly, so that tells me they're not being honest.
It is a step in the right direction because good relations with neighbours are must for peace and trade.
What is guarantee that IK will not take U turn ? Let IK directly visit Delhi and talk straight to Modi. No need to advertise and create hype. Simple answer for simple question.
IK is very popular and true yaar of Modi.
Nawaz and Modi would have resolved the issue had Nawaz got chance.
Mattis visit is working...
I think as positive step for both nations people and keep away JK issuie during discussion and confidence building measure to be up hrld positiveness of our brotherly families
What a joke, everyone knows nothing is coming out from these dialogues, No country will agree to lose its territory.
@Surya Kant Agrawal;
'Please revisit ground, understand reality,'
Whose reality?
@CHELFLS;
Normalization does not mean we do not care about our Kashmiri brethren.
PMIK is the best diplomat to exist in the current political climate. He always creates a win win situation and wins over the enemies. Proud of our PMIK
PM Khan and PM Modi are both popular and strong leaders and together they can make history. They should not waste this opportunity to change course for the great future of the people of the subcontinent and of the region. Peaceful and open borders shall unite the people for mutual social & economic development.
After going through the comments on this page I've found that many think that these peace talks are futile and that the resolving of the Kashmir issue and these talks can not be concurrent. Well, I believe they can. Why? Because if these talks do not take place, a diplomatic settlement can not be reached and if a settlement is not reached then further discussions on more pressing matters like the Kashmir issue itself can not take place.
A few people here suggested that Pakistan and India should part ways and mind their own respective businesses. Well you should know that this isn't possible as long as the Kashmir issue prevails, and the only solution to the Kashmir issue lies in bilateral debate.
We should hope and pray for the best regardless of how bitter it may seem to make our futures look. Many may see this as quixotic but that's entirely on them.
The minute the PM starts making meaningful progress in peace talks he will be replaced.
This is the track record and history in Pakistan.
Talks will only work if both sides come with realistic proposals, sincere approach and real authority to make a deal and then implement it. Both sides need to set aside their dogma and refrain from giving inflammatory speeches and press releases. If a deal comes, it will come from some out of the box thinking and neither side will get everything they want so the public needs to be prepared for that. Frankly, trust needs to be built before a deal is likely.
Those issues, which could not be resolved in last 70 years, how anybody could think that they would be resolved in one or few meetings?