SRINAGAR: After month long war of words, India and Pakistan reached out to each other on the eve of their respective independence days with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif saying Let us sit together to resolve all outstanding issues in a friendly manner and President Pranab Mukherjee reiterating Indias commitment of building a “friendly and cooperative” relationship with Islamabad.
The new development came after United States expressed concern over the LoC incidents today and urged India and Pakistan to take steps to improve trust.
In a televised address on the eve of Pakistan’s independence day, Sharif sought to address the Indian audience too saying, “Let us make a new beginning. Let us sit together to resolve all outstanding issues in a friendly manner and in a peaceful atmosphere.”.
“We must become good friends. Hold each other’s hands. We must sit together with a open and clean heart,” said Sharif who took over the country’s prime ministership in May this year.
India responded saying that it was committed to peaceful resolution of all issues, but dialogue should take place in an atmosphere free from terror and violence.
New Delhi said on Tuesday it was still in a sense of shock over ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Kashmir and called for a return to peace and tranquillity on the Line Of Control.
“There has to be peace and tranquility on the border. Ceasefire should not be violated. We are still in a sense of shock,” external affairs minister Salman Khurshid told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
However President Mukherjee struck a more reconciliatory note in his message to Pakistai counterpart Asif Ali Zardari.
India is committed to building a “friendly and cooperative” relationship with Pakistan that leads to peace and prosperity in the region, President Mukherjee said while greeting the Pakistan government and people on their Independence Day.
“I take this opportunity to reiterate India’s commitment to building a friendly and cooperative relationship with Pakistan that leads to peace in our region and progress and prosperity of our peoples,” Pakistan celebrates Independence Day on Aug 14, a day before India.
“On the occasion of the Independence Day of Pakistan, I have the pleasure of conveying … our felicitations to the government and the people of Pakistan.”
India and Pakistan, which gained independence from Britain in August 1947, have gone to war four times and have been locked in several skirmishes.
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