Nawaz Sharif calls for renewed Pak-India relations, cricket ties in meeting with Indian journalists

PML-N supremo expresses potential for SCO to serve as a starting point for improved relations between the neighbours

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif met with a delegation of Indian journalists covering the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference, where he shared his thoughts on the restoration of Pakistan-India relations and cricketing ties.

The meeting took place in Lahore, with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also in attendance.

During the discussion, Nawaz expressed optimism about the potential for the SCO conference to serve as a starting point for improved relations between the two neighbours.

"If Pakistan-India relations improve, many things will get better," he stated. He further emphasised the importance of cricket diplomacy, suggesting that India’s cricket team should participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

"Ask the Indian cricket team, and they would say they want to come to Pakistan and play," he remarked.

Nawaz also mentioned that it would have been positive if India’s prime minister had personally attended the SCO conference.

Reflecting on the tense history between the two nations, he added, "The past has been bitter, let's see what happens in the future."

Maryam expressed a desire to visit India, stating, "I want to visit Indian Punjab to see the differences. Both sides have much to learn from each other."