India positively responds to Pakistan’s offer for peace talks

Islamabad: Indian government on Thursday positively responded to the offer of Pakistan for resumption of peace talks.

According to embassy sources, Indian foreign minister and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have sent replies to their Pakistani counterparts Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Imran Khan respectively.

Sources told that both letters, encouraging comprehensive and fresh negotiation, were sent to Pakistan through a proper diplomatic channel.

Indian government said that it is ready to play role in maintaining the regional peace. “We always give priority to the development of the people living in the Sub-Continent. We also appreciate Pakistan’s effort for the revival of talks. However, the negotiation should mainly discuss terrorism,” the letters stated.

Moreover, Pakistani foreign minister and prime minister will soon dispatch their replies to the Indian authorities.

According to sources both letters from India, encouraging comprehensive and fresh negotiation, were sent to Pakistan through a proper diplomatic channel.

Pakistani leaders had invited India to talk about Kashmir, terrorism and other issues and said they were open to talks with India and had said renewed efforts would be made after the Indian election.

In his letter, Indian prime minister said India wants a cordial relationship with all countries in the region. He said India also wants peace and prosperity in the region.

India has always given importance to the peace and progress, the letter read. It called for dialogue between Pakistan and India to specially focus on ways to curb terrorism.

The recent wave of hostile relations between both countries started after Pulwama attack in which 44 soldiers of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed.

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down two Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets for violating the Pakistani airspace and arrested Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.

A video released by the Pakistani military later showed Abhinandan sipping tea, standing collected and calm. He thanked the “thorough gentlemen” who rescued him from the mob and complimented the tea as “fantastic”. It was unclear if he had been coerced to speak

Afterwards, the pilot was handed over to the Indian authorities as a goodwill gesture.

Pakistan and India have fought several wars since independence from British colonial rule in 1947, with major conflict over Kashmir.