Indian premier Narendra Modi (L) and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (R). PHOTOS: REUTERS
In his letter, Modi condemned the brazen attack on Karachi airport in which 37 people were killed including 10 terrorists. The all-night battle with militants, who besieged Karachi airport’s old terminal, started on the night of June 8. It was the first large-scale terrorist attack at the country’s largest airport in years.
The Indian prime minister also offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the attack.
Modi also stated in his letter that he wants peace between the two countries.
The actual text of the letter can be read below:
Dear Mian Sahib,
I thank you for your letter of 2, June, 2014 and the positive sentiments that you have expressed about your visit to India last month.
I was particularly delighted and honoured by your participation in the ceremony for the swearing in of the new government. 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.
I was also encouraged by our discussions on our bilateral relations and the convergence in our views, especially on the fact 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. 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.
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.
I thank you once again for the sari that you sent for my mother, a gesture that she has deeply appreciated.
With warm regards,
Yours sincerely,
Narendra Modi
Nawaz's letter
Nawaz's letter was sent to India’s foreign ministry last week through the Pakistan High Commission. He had written a letter to his new Indian counterpart to express satisfaction with their “meaningful” first meeting.
“I look forward to working with you in harmony on all unsettled matters for the benefit of both nations,” he had written in the one-page letter. “I must say that I have returned much satisfied with our meaningful exchange of thoughts on matters of bilateral and regional interest.”
PM Nawaz had held talks with Modi in New Delhi last month after attending the inauguration of the Hindu nationalist Indian premier who swept to power in a landslide election victory.
Modi and Nawaz are expected to meet again in September on the sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York.
COMMENTS (66)
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@Wallis:
Vow, what a theory! You have the deductive powers of a Sherlock Holmes! India seems to be damned if it condemns such vicious attacks in Pakistan, and it is still damned if it doesn't. Need I say more, oh wise one from the Torabora caves??!!
@Shayan:
"Even the western press have to admit that the Karachi airport attackers had Indians weapons and had Indian money"
Yes, yes. You forgot to add that they were speaking in Tamil, Marati and Gujarati and wearing tilaks from the temple. They were wearing orange wrist band and also had pictures of Hindu gods in their possession. Most important: there were all uncircumcised.
Misinformation and conspiracy theories are forte of Pakistanis, no wonder their country is in such a state. Grow up neighbors!!
@Wallis: Then read this link:
http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?203769-Karachi-Airport-attacked-by-Militants&p=6858087#post6858087
@Gp65: I guessed as much but i have seen funnier things passed off as facts on this newspaper
@Champu What about Gujarati snacks ?
I have noticed one thing that their have been many attacks in Pakistan, but Indians have never shown concern or given any condolences or sympathies for the attacks but recently when Pakistani media said that indian weapons were found from the terrorists who attacked Karachi airport, Indian media, ambassador and Indian PM both jumped into action and started paying condolences.
Nice.
@Champu did a good champi. Many otherwise discerning readers, all Pakistanis, failed to notice @Champu's biting sarcasm, so delicately covered in Rupa underwear!
@Rex Minor: Pakistan government has not accused Indian bovernment of the attack, so what is there for the Indian overnment to deny? The Indian PM's condemnation of the attack is makes India's stand on the issue clear.
In any case TTP has claimed credit for the attack as has Al Qaeda. Are you saying that Al Qaeda and. Your Waziri brethren of TTP are Indian agents?
@BlackJack, @Gratgy
Pretty sure @champu was being sarcastic.
The attack was by religo-political Uzbek Sunni Islamist militants affiliated with Al Qaeda and TTP.
Hope that helps in making it easier for the brainwashed denialists and conspiracists to digest.
@Rex Minor: Let me ask you this. Do you make decisions in your own house or do you let your security guard do that ?
@champu: "One of the terrorists was wearing rupa underwear and banian , another had paan parag , paan masala sachet ."
:-). I like the Rupa underwear touch. Creativity at its finest!
@T: "Wah! The mastermind of the attack condemning it !!"
Yes. What a nerve! He does this even after engraving his name in sanskrit on the guns used in the attack! :-)
@someone: mr Nawaz Sharif is a docile kashmiri, he is quite satisfied presently with the Kashmir shawl that the Chaiwala has gifted him. Who knows how much time the army will give him this time to play out his offer of trade prospects verses indian military departure from the Kashmir paradise?
Rex Minor
@dhanish they are silent because they know the truth or you would have seen them chest beating in every forum like they do for kashmir. Its one fire brand version for local consumption on their local tv to keep the hatred pot brewing against neighbours for TRP by right winger conspiracy theorist to deflect from responsibility of those that are responsible for intelligence and security. Second version the truthful one, where they behave responsibly in international arena because they know it was TTP and al-queda affiliates. They know their ploy to fool international audience like locals won't work. They will be caught lying without proofs they mentioned off if they do so. So the maturity on international level and ignoring and letting conspiracy theorist continue their fables/tales on tv.
@Rex Minor: Thanks. I will take it as compliment even if it was sarcasm :). I don't think the leader of a country would chose better atmosphere over his/her citizen's tragic deaths. Also, as far as we know, there is no talk process going on between India and Pakistan unless it is in background.If there was an Indian involvement, it would have given enough ammo to Mr. NS to drag India into various international forums to gather support which I think is not the case.
@ Champu you really a " parachute Champi" head massage. Please tell me you were being sarcastic. Because your comment is really funny. It seems from your comment india was desperate to be caught. Planting rupa inners, paan masala and all on Uzbeks. And modi tag in Sanskrit on ammunition? really? I would have thought you had better brains then that. Does modi known a arms factory or licence? Nobody here is authorised for such personal tag. Think hard enough. It was a suicide mission. If it was indeed india or some country that had plans to hide it. Why would they put such basic common indian stuffs on them to be caught? Our intelligence agencies are better then that. Even without india involvement and proven ttp and Uzbeks.. Those who accuse india are yet to show pictures of "indian origin labels" farce rumours of items they claim. @rex minor Where's the question of accepting or denying it when there's been no formal request or accusation by pakistani foriegn office,PM or diplomat? Why are they silent?
@Rex Minor: 'They most certainly will not denie the supportt they provided to former East Pakistan or providing presently to the uzbeks, tajiks, hazara or even Pakhtun citizens of Afghanistan?
The answer is that any terrorist is allowed in Pakistan without any visa and welcomed with a 'bear hug'.
@someone:
You are a very clever guy; your family must be very proud of you! Mr Nawaz Sharif does not want to muddy the atmosphere during the rapport process.
Rex Minor
@Pakistani: If India were to play the aggressor which it does not like to, there will be another Bangladesh!
@Rex Minor: So you want him to say "India is not involved". Would you believe him? Grow up or perish.
@Indian:
It is like the same story that man did not land on moon!
The reality that this is a systemic problem can be gauged by the fact that I have been unable to post on ET for more than 24 hours.
If Modi did it as some assert, then Karachi Airport would have been the worst possible target available among many and the way this operation was carried out was juvenile at best.
Pakistanis, please learn that Modi doesn't play except to win. This election is proof enough.
@Shayan: same escapist and ostrich policy.If it were so why does the world look at Pakistan suspiciously.
@T: With this mindset do you think there can ever be reconciliation. Jinnah was right in demanding that the two cannot co exist and India was right in accepting this division look at the progress India has made after partition and Pakistan has to take a look at why it is where it s and with Bangladesh seceding.,Harping Kashmir is not going to develop Pakistan though it may satisfy a few extremists and their egos.
@pakistani you won in court? Really is this what's being projected that side? Strange. Your objection was on india building dams. And about us building hydro power projects on it. On both counts we won.. And are continuing the Project and in fact work is still going to make hydro electric power. So now tell me how do you interpret this as winning? When you gained nothing you wished for? I.e. 1. We end project, 2. We stop building dams. For a record. It's not for sake of your country but for sake of ours that we follow and not violate indus water treaty. Because we don't want to waste millions and billions of dollars in investment than get it trashed because we violated it. This is not your IP gas project.
@Gratgy: @chzmpu was being sarcastic.
@Rex Minor: For someone who lives in Germany, you sure keep N. Waziristan time.
@Rex Minor: First of all, did you guys bother to check whether Pakistani government officially asked/charged Indian government for involvement in the attack? Indian government officially questioned/charged Pakistani government for Mumbai attack. Now unless and until Pakistan does not lodge an official complaint, why should Indian government issue any statement of denial? Now comes the question, why Pakistan government not lodging official complaint to India if it believes in Indian involvement in the attack? There are couple of explanations. One, which pretty much could be the case, is that there is absolutely no link of India into it and it is just pure Pakistani media propaganda.Second, may be Pakistani agencies are not competent enough to prove Indian involvement. Third, which again has a high probability, that attack was inside job to blame India to put pressure on NS. Take a pick.
@champu:
Has the Indian Government denied it? The Indian Government will provide support to any one who is in the opposition to Pakistan! Even Imran Khan is welcomed in India especially by the ritred Indian military brass. They most certainly will not denie the supportt they provided to former East Pakistan or providing presently to the uzbeks, tajiks, hazara or even Pakhtun citizens of Afghanistan?
Rex Minor
@champu: Apart from Indian weapons and Medicine , there was the name of modi written in sanskrit on one of the weapons. It is difficult to figure out which one is more lacking, knowledge or intelligence. How do you know it is an Indian weapon - can you tell me the name of the weapon, what code it is sold under? Even Indian troops use foreign automatic weapons. And the name of Modi in Sanskrit - pray tell me how did you great people figure out the language is Sanskrit? Do you know that Sanskrit has no independent script of its own and is usually written in Devanagari (which means that there is no difference between writing Modi in Hindi and Sanskrit)? And if Modi wanted to announce that he was attacking Karachi airport, don't you think he would have found a better way than to get his name printed on a gun? Why haven't these photographs been released to the media - I too wish to see all this proof. You people need to watch more Bollywood, their wafer-thin plots are still way better than the stuff you come up with.
"Uzbek Al Qaeda affiliate claims responsibility for Karachi airport siege" A heads-up to some of the bloggers on here who can't seem to read too well. Or like everything else in Pakistan, it is a case of selective amnesia.
@champu: Uzbek militants wearing Rupa underwear???? I can understand supplying guns but Why in the world would India supply Rupa underwear to uzbeks?? there was the name of modi written in sanskrit on one of the weapons.
Sanskrit and Hindi have the same script, hence "Modi" in Sanskrit is the same as "Modi" in Hindi.
I just hope for your sake you are being sarcastic. ROFLMAO
@chandran: He Is your MYBAP! You really have little sensé left.
Here is what Chuck Hagel, US secretary of Defense said about the Indian activities in Pakistan through Afghanistan.
who is he why he is getting involved in our indo-pak family affairs we indians throw him out even from america
@Patriot.N: Did you bother to check when he made those speech? When he ws not defense secretary but mere a senator. A senator in US knows about agaencies as much as a senator in Pakistan knows about ISI.
@Shayan: What an idotic comment! It was proven by FBI and other international secret agencies that the attackers came from Pakistan! They traced the satellite calls to Pakistan. Wearing saffrons and speaking hindi or punjbai won't make them Indians. Only Pakistanis will believe this story!
Apart from Indian weapons and Medicine , there was the name of modi written in sanskrit on one of the weapons. One of the terrorists was wearing rupa underwear and banian , another had paan parag , paan masala sachet . How can the Indians deny their involvement with such solid proof
@Mega: 'there is no water issue'.??!!.....that is why after submitting the facts and figures the International Court of Arbitration (ICA) passed its judgement in favour of Pakistan on Kishanganga dam project because India was in violation of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT). India needs to stop playing innocent all the time.
@Piya:
"TTP has sworn to convert our country and consider as enemies. We have yet not forgotten or forgiven they hijacked our plane killed our citizen and exchanged a murderer for those indians. Please convince someone else we will help our bitter enemies."
What about making your enemies fight and destroy each other by helping the weaker ones (Afghans+TTP+Baloch insurgents vs. Pakistan)? Is it too irrational? Are you really that innocent, or on a cover-up mission?
@Shayan if indeed what you say is true then why did your media show his house and native village in your country? Why was your NSA sacked for admitting he is Pakistani. And Why did your govt admit he was indeed your citizen and partly plotted there? It's not just indian investigation. British/Americans were killed too.. Did you see american court case investigation where David headley admitted and named all those who were involved and how all this was done and planned? Please enlighten yourself with truth reading his testimony. Even Kasab testimony, belongings,documents, phone signals and taped convo went to "a" country. David caught by Americans testified too and gave more light into it. Not a believer of conspiracy theory but facts and proofs. People of this subcontinent know Hindi/Urdu and and understand punjabi not a rocket science. As far as wearing bands, you think they didn't wear those purposely to blend in locals as disguise? And the same people were asking religion of people and targeting "Hindus" and sparing the believers. Any answer to that? About karachi why didn't your PM or foreign Minister say anything on international platform then? None of Washington, D.C.,new york post or major uk daily others etc mentioned india it was instead blamed on ttp and Uzbeks. Forget them, your own foreign minister,PM didn't accuse india. It was only raked in some of your media channels for controversies, no proofs of made in india on any of them shown.
Indians: Since most of the Indians won't believe in the fact that India is involved in terrorism activities in Pakistan via Afghanistan, and even if they believe it won't accept it. Here is what Chuck Hagel, US secretary of Defense said about the Indian activities in Pakistan through Afghanistan.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/512867/india-financed-problems-for-pakistan-from-afghanistan-chuck-hagel/
http://www.countercurrents.org/ghazali270213.htm
@T: @Saad
You guys must be living in a fool's paradise to really believe that India and Indians would be interested in attacking Karachi airport. Indians are aspiring to become a world power and the fastest way to get there is through development and economic growth. I wish you would give up your madrassa mindset and smell the coffee -- the world has changed and you must come out of the stone age if you and your country want to survive. Your real enemies are within your real estate -- India does not need to do anything to you. You are destroying yourselves. Since you don't seem to read newspapers, just a reminder that one of your organizations acknowledged that it was behind the airport attacks. If this does not open your eyes and your otherwise closed minds, then nothing will. Because you are, by birth, born with ingrained prejudices and brainwashed notions, thanks to the hateful propaganda you have been fed by all those interacting with you.
Mumbai was a false flag operation, the attackers were speaking in Hindi and Punjabi, they wore saffron band worn by Hindus and they were looking like Hindustanis Even the western press have to admit that the Karachi airport attackers had Indians weapons and had Indian money. Indians and their friends have been spreading bombing and kiinlgs throughout Pakistan
@THE how can india be rape capital of world when america, South Africa,Sweden are top three maximum rape cases crimes countries in the world? When their population is only 95lakhs(Sweden) South Africa(4.5crore)? Europe alone if taken together will lead in the world leaving america behind because to France,Belgium,Sweden,Germany leading top 8 rape crimes country in the world. And you comparing these countries that lead with india three times Europe pop, many times South Africa and Sweden etc? What basis except prejudice and bias do you make such frivolous allegation? Seems like you dint read your own paper that are filled with such cases in your country and instead focused on india where they have fight back system unlike yours where a woman still needs witness. Please make sensical argument and related to topic. Remember while pointing fingers at others..three fingers point back at you, at your "own" same flaws you accuse others off, that fare better than you. ET please publish this you don't monitor such comment but censure rational argument.
@Pity @THE
Mumbai attack was like Kargill orchestrated by the establishment of Pak, and in both the cases it has accepted his soil's involvement after initial denials.
@Indian: You reaped alot from Mumbai! Rape capital of the world.
Why do they still communicate via letters in this day and age? Anybody heard of email?
One can only hope most of the ordinary Pakistanis do not have the hate filled negative sentiments displayed by some here in a vulgar fashion. Reading the letters both leaders seem to be sincere. One wonders paid agents of the deep state in Pakistan write comments here.
@Indian: The same was said after the Mumbai attacks too.
Thank you Modi.God bless you.We want very good relations with India.
Sharif and Modi are in right places in right party politics at right time to resolve several pending matters between the two countries. However, I reserve my judgement until the winter of 2015. There are plenty of opportunities to thwart the good intentions by the intruders. Need two summers to thaw the cold across the borders. I am expecting Modi to make a visit soon to PAK. We will take it from there!
@T: @saad: As you sow so shall you reap! '
@saad yet to see "made in india" "country of origin" tag on those flashed images or medicines that can be brought from any drug store in any country. We are world's third largest pharmaceutical supplier of medicines etc and supply it in large bulk to all continents. They also had worn jeans and cloths made in different country that can be bought locally will you blame those foriegn countries too? TTP has sworn to convert our country and consider as enemies. We have yet not forgotten or forgiven they hijacked our plane killed our citizen and exchanged a murderer for those indians. Please convince someone else we will help our bitter enemies. Hindus supporting hardcore islamist who's main aim is to dominate and end us, bring whole South Asia under their religion, will have our support? Dream on..
Even Nawaz Sharif didn't condemn the Karachi Attack. What an irony!
@T. proof plz. OR are you making statements after getting high.
There is a good chemistry between NS and Modi which might help in normalising relations between the two countries. However, there is one major difference ie Modi has a got clear mandate with no detractor to interfere in his foreign policy dictate but for Sharif he has to take clearance from the establishment who may not allow it to happen so smoothly.
Good gestures from both prime ministers.
The foundation for a bright future was laid down by Mr Jinnah in 1947, mr Nawaz Sharif making it 'Brighter' in 2014 is a fail start and simply ignores the turbulance period since 1947. Mr Nawaz Sharif should take the opportunity and appoint a foreign minister before he starts furthe debacles.
Rex Minor
@amankeasha there is no water issue. We follow indus water treaty. Every case you filed, you lost it while we were allowed to continue. Conserve your side water and built dam to a avoid enormous water wastage happening there, that land in Arabian Sea without being utilised. India won't do that for you. Your own political parties have objections to dam formation within your country due to which to have water/power related shortages. Instead of solving those difference to deflect public anger they blame india conveniently like always for everything . Every time international court has shot down such plea of restricting us under the same norms of indus water treaty. We will not give extra water from our side. For your own lapses,mismanagement, non conservation of water or dam your side. It's you who have to solve your internal matters not us.
Do you address a Prime Minister as his "excellency" or is Nawaz being overtly submissive.
Slow and steady wins the race........I hope someone has advised Nawaz of this, because the perception is that he will get carried away and mess up what ever good this may happen.
Only two issues, Kashmir and water can end our enemity of decades. If we resolve it we both will have uncalculateable gains... So Both leaders should think about their Poor People.
Supply and fund TTP against Pakistan covertly to cause destruction in Pakistan then offer condolonces to a naive prime minister who doesnt know what is going on.
Wah! The mastermind of the attack condemning it !!