Pakistan is now in a situation where it does not have cordial relations with most of its immediate neighbours. PHOTO: AFP
India-Pakistan ties can "truly scale great heights" if Pakistan removes the "self-imposed" obstacle of terrorism, Modi said in an interview to Wall Street Journal.
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The Indian premier is of the view that cross border relations between India and Pakistan has enormous room for improvement. He said he sees possibility of “truly cordial and meaningful” relations to develop between the two “historic rivals” provided Pakistan takes effective measures against terrorist activities on its soil.
“We [India] are ready to take the first step, but the path to peace is a two-way street,” Modi said. "Pakistan's failure to take effective action in punishing the perpetrators of terror attacks limits the forward progress in our ties," he added.
Modi said India still maintained its position on the improvement of bilateral relations, which rested on the sole condition that Pakistan should take effective measures against the perpetrators of terror in addition to withdrawing its support, both state and non-state, of terrorist groups.
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“I have always maintained that instead of fighting with each other, India and Pakistan should together fight against poverty,” Modi said. “"Naturally we expect Pakistan to play its part.”
"There can be no compromise on terrorism. It can only be stopped if all support to terrorism, whether state or non-state is completely stopped,” he implied in reference to Pakistan. "Pakistan's failure to take effective action in punishing the perpetrators of terror attacks limits the forward progress in our ties.”
Modi asserted that he had always been a proponent of having good relations with India's neighbours. "I have said that the future that I wish for India is the future that I dream for my neighbours. My visit to Lahore was a clear projection of this belief," he said.
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Separately, the Indian premier took to Twitter on Saturday to extended good wishes to his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, for his open-heart surgery in London on Tuesday.
"My best wishes to PM Nawaz Sharif Sahab for his open heart surgery on Tuesday. And for his speedy recovery & good health," Modi said on Twitter.
My best wishes to PM Nawaz Sharif Sahab for his open heart surgery on Tuesday. And for his speedy recovery & good health. @MaryamNSharif
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 28, 2016
This article originally appeared on Times of India.
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