India ignoring Pakistan's overtures for peace: Salman Khurshid

Former Indian foreign minister says BJP-led government should respond towards building a stable and peaceful region


APP November 12, 2015
A file photo of Salman Khurshid. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: India has not responded to Pakistan's overtures for peace in South Asia the way it should have, said former Indian foreign minister Salman Khurshid.

Speaking at at the latest round of Jinnah Institute's Distinguished Speaker Series in Islamabad on Thursday, Khurshid said it was a far-sighted step of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to attend Indian premier Narendra Modi's oath-taking ceremony in May 2013.

However, he added, the BJP led-government in India failed to adequately reciprocate to Islamabad's peace overtures, he maintained.

Armed forces exchange sweets at Wagah-Attari border on Diwali 

Khurshid said since 1947 the world had found solutions to several intractable disputes and conflicts, but the India-Pakistan confrontation remained largely unchanged.

Prime Minister Modi is still learning how to be a statesman, he said, adding if India wanted to move forward in its dialogue with Pakistan, it would have to take care rather than to unsettle the democratic political order in Islamabad.

The former Indian foreign minister of India said terrorism against any country was completely unacceptable, and Pakistan itself had not been spared from this scourge.

He praised Pakistan's fight against terrorism and acknowledged its role in fighting a difficult war in tribal areas.

COMMENTS (17)

someone | 8 years ago | Reply Yes sir we are ignoring because we know NS words don't have a meaning. He is stamp PM. Despite the majority he has, its not him calling the shots. India is waiting for the real Sharif to come to the power.
K Sudhir | 8 years ago | Reply When they are out of power, all Pakistani politicians talk of importance & possibilities peace & friendship with India. I have heard Benazir doing it, Nawaz doing it & even Immi doing it! But as soon as they come to power, all goes phutt! Probably Khurshid was greatly impressed by the two-timing style of Pakistani politicians! In the unlikely event Gandhi Dynasty comes to power, all will be forgotten. If at all there is a chance of peace between India & Pakistan, it will be during the Modi regime, perhaps after the liberation of Balochistan! This is sure to happen bcz Sharif in Khaki is dealing with Baloch people in inhuman, cruel ways similar to what Yahya did in Bangladesh in 1971. History will surely repeat.
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ