NEW DELHI, Apr 9:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India was open to talks with Pakistan on all outstanding issues, provided there was an atmosphere of peace.
”We remain open to bilateral dialogue with Pakistan on all outstanding issues, in an environment free from terrorism and violence, Mr Modi said in an exclusive interview to the Hindustan Times.
The Prime Minister’s remarks follow Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar’s visit to Islamabad, as part of his SAARC yatra, which was seen as a signal of desire by the new Government to normalise the ties with Pakistan.
Otherwise, there was a chill in the relations between the two countries after Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit invited Hurriyat leaders for talks, ahead of Foreign Secretary level talks last year.
Mr Modi said the normalisation of relations between the two countries could proceed on the basis of the Simla Agreement and Lahore Declaration.
”Peace can only thrive, when the climate is right,” Mr Modi said, when asked when the bilateral dialogue could begin.
One of the main conditions put by India for normalisation of ties is that Pakistan must bring the culprits of Mumbai terror attack to justice, but the latter has so far failed to give any adequate response to the former’s concern.
The Prime Minister also spoke on his pro-active engagement with the country’s South Asian neighbours, to which he has travelled after taking over in a bid to infuse a fresh vigour in the relations, at a time when China is making concerted efforts to enhance its influence in the region. ”We want peace and prosperity in South Asia, we want SAARC to flourish. This vision of regional cooperation and connectivity impelled me to invite the Prime Minister of Pakistan and other SAARC leaders to our swearing-in-ceremony,” Mr Modi added. (UNI)
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