ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI, June 13:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif, saying he looked forward to charting a “new course” in the bilateral relations in an atmosphere “free from confrontation and violence”.
Responding to Sharif’s letter of June 2, Modi has said that “a relationship between India and Pakistan defined by peace, friendship and cooperation would unleash enormous opportunities for our youth, secure a more prosperous future for our people and accelerate progress across our region.”
He also condemned the terror strike in Karachi earlier this week and conveyed his “deepest condolences” for the loss of innocent lives in this “senseless and barbaric” attack.
Modi said he was encouraged by discussions with Sharif during his visit to Delhi on bilateral relations and the convergence on views.
“I look forward therefore to working closely with you and your Government in an atmosphere free from confrontation and violence in order to chart a new course in our bilateral relations,” he said according to text of the letter released by Pakistan today.
Sharif had written to Modi expressing satisfaction over his visit to Delhi for attending the swearing-in of the new Government on May 26. The two leaders had then held talks to discuss the future of the bilateral relationship.
He thanked Sharif for attending the oath taking ceremony.
“Your presence and that of other leaders from our region not only added a special sheen to the event, but also a celebration of the strength of democracy in our region and a reflection of our collective hopes and shared destinies,” he wrote.
In the letter, Modi also wrote, “I also take this opportunity to condemn in the strongest terms the terrorists attack in Karachi and convey my deepest condolences for the loss of innocent lives in this senseless and barbaric attack.”
He thanked Sharif for the letter which he wrote and also for the gift of sari that he sent for his mother, saying it was “a gesture that she has deeply appreciated”.
Meanwhile, on a day Pakistani troops shelled Indian positions, Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh today briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the security situation, including ceasefire violations, operational preparedness of the force and its requirements.
The urgent need to upgrade infrastructure in areas bordering Pakistan and China was also flagged by the Army Chief in his first substantial presentation, that lasted for about three hours, to the new Prime Minister.
Army spokesperson termed the briefing “broad-based” in which all major security issues and challenges were touched upon by Gen Singh.
“It was a detailed review of the security situation, including the internal security situation in North (Jammu and Kashmir) and the Northeast. The status of operational readiness was also discussed besides the future challenges,” he said.
The issue of ceasefire violations on the LoC is also understood to have figured in the briefing, which significantly took place on a day when Pakistan shelled Indian positions in Poonch sector of J&K.
Army sources, however, said Gen Singh’s briefing to the Prime Minister was not because of today’s ceasefire violation. It was scheduled for an earlier date but was rescheduled for today because of the death of Cabinet Minister Gopinath Munde.
The Army Chief pressed on the need to develop quality roads and other infrastructure in the border States and “deficiencies” facing it also came up in the briefing.
Official sources said Gen Singh reiterated Army’s opposition to removal of AFSPA from J&K, a demand pushed by the State Government, saying time for it has not come yet.
In the power-point presentation, he also touched upon the insurgency in Assam and other Northeast states.
Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh and Army Chief-designate Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, who is presently the Vice-Chief, and Defence Secretary R K Mathur were also present in the meeting. (PTI)
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