India desires cordial relations with Pakistan but an atmosphere of trust, devoid of terror and hostility, is “imperative” for it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a letter to his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan.
PM Modi has written a letter to Mr Khan and sent his greetings to the people on the occasion of Pakistan’s 70th National Day: "As a neighbouring country, India desires cordial relations with the people of Pakistan. For this, an environment of trust, devoid of terror and hostility, is imperative.”
The sources said it is a routine letter sent every year.
Modi has also conveyed his best wishes to Khan and the people of Pakistan in dealing with the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
There have been hints of a positive shift in ties between India and Pakistan. Last month, the Indian and Pakistani armies recommitted themselves to the 2003 ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
On March 23, Pakistan celebrates its national day every year to commemorate the 'Lahore Resolution' of 1940 and the adoption of the first Constitution of Pakistan and demanded a separate nation for Muslims.
"Excellency, at this difficult time for humanity, I would like to convey my best wishes to you and the people of Pakistan for dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic," PM wrote.
This comes after Aftab Hasan Khan, Charge'd Affaires at Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday, said, "Pakistan wants to have good relations with its neighbours...It'd only be possible with peace and for it to prevail, issues must be resolved via dialogue, especially that of J&K which has been going on for 70 years."
A delegation of Pakistani officials arrived in India for a meeting on Monday of the permanent Indus commission. It is the first such dialogue in over two-and-a-half years.
Last week, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said India desires good neighbourly ties with Pakistan and is committed to addressing issues, if any, bilaterally but added that any meaningful dialogue can only be held in a conducive atmosphere.
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Shringla said the onus is on Islamabad to create such an atmosphere.
He said the onus is on Islamabad to create such an atmosphere. The relations between India and Pakistan fell after India evoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and bifurcated the state into two union territories in 2019.
It is learnt that a separate message was sent by President Ram Nath Kovind to his Pakistani counterpart Arif Alvi.