Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (L) and Indian counterpart Narendra Modi (R). PHOTO: REUTERS
"I look forward to working with you in harmony on all unsettled matters for the benefit of both nations," Nawaz wrote in the one-page letter.
The letter was sent last week to India's foreign ministry through the Pakistan High Commission, and published in India media on Wednesday.
In his letter, Nawaz said that "with our efforts, we can lay a foundation for a brighter future."
On May 26, Nawaz went to New Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Indian premier. Nawaz was among a clutch of regional leaders who attended Modi’s inauguration. It was the first time in the history of India that a Pakistani prime minister was invited to the oath-taking ceremony of an Indian premier. Nawaz had termed the meeting with his Indian counterpart good and constructive.
Thanking Modi for his hospitality during the oath-taking ceremony, Nawaz said he was satisfied with the discussion he had with Indian premier on issues of mutual interest.
"I must say that I have returned much satisfied with our meaningful exchange of thoughts on matters of bilateral and regional interest."
The Pakistani prime minister further stated in his letter that the two countries need to resolve their issues for the benefit of their citizens, further stating that millions of people have high expectations from the two prime ministers.
"It is the millions living in poverty in both countries who deserve our foremost attention," Nawaz also said in the letter.
"I firmly believe that in our concerted efforts lies the welfare and prosperity of our two nations."
Modi and Nawaz are expected to meet again in September on the sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York in September.
A scanned copy of the letter written by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
COMMENTS (73)
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The 'credible' evidence about Indian arms shown everywhere, is one AK-47 (being reported as Indian INSAS refile), some hand grenades (with no specific marks to prove they are Indian), some RPGs (which India doesn't even manufacture), and some suicide vests (which no country manufactures, terrorist groups themselves make it. The 'insufficient' evidence given by India about Pak involvement in Mumbai - Satellite phones used by attackers, used to talk to entities located in Pakistan during attack, to get guidance. The coordinates were recovered from satellite, along with recorded calls, which pointed to as accurate as specific houses in Pakistan from where communication was being made.
In a way it suits India just fine that Pakistan is in denial over the origins of terrorism in the country. Pakistan will never fix this problem unless they do an honest assessment. As long as they don't identify the real threat, the nation will always be in turmoil and that suits India just fine. The terrorists are doing India's job for them and very well at that.
It won't be too long before Pakistan finds itself too far behind India to compete either militarily or economically. The nukes are not going to help even in the event of a war. EMFC (Explosive Magnetic Flux Compressor) bombs will take care of Pakistan's nukes although India will also lose the ability to fire them. But that will be to India's advantage.
@Syed Jalal Kashmiri: You don't appear to be Kashmiri as according to a survey conducted on both sides of Muslim majority Kashmir Valley by Chatham House London, 75% to 95% want full freedom as a separate country and do not want to join India or Pakistan, which may not be acceptable to either country.
Some vested group do not like to settle the unsettled matters between India and Pakistan.Among them there are some internal and external and groups too.
@Syed Jalal Kashmiri: "I am still waiting for UN plebiscite vote in my homeland Kashmir. The sooner Kashmir gains freedom, the closer will be freedom, peace, and the end of duplicity against Pakistan."
Allah aap ko lambhi umar deyn.
@Syed Jalal Kashmiri: I wish you very very long life of may be 200 years but I am not sure if that would be enough for you to see what you are waiting for.
@amanat ali: The absurd lies about India blocking water and not complying with IWTare known even to Pakistani leadership but somehow you keep listening to conspiracy theorists. http://tribune.com.pk/story/588840/water-warriors/ http://tribune.com.pk/story/473751/target-jamaat-ali-shah/ Independent arbitration panels where Pakistan complained about Indi an dams have repeatedly upheld India's claim. India honored the IWT even during wars.minstead of respecting that such outright canards are spread. This shows lack of sincerity of Pakistan to really resolve issues.
As for Kashmir please read some independent history and also the actual UN resolution.
It's about trade together with Pakistan and India in where they can do business. That's Punjabi, Sindhi muslim society is known for centuries. Their is room for business and I think every business person male or female in Pakistan really would explore business deals. The ladies and gentleman of Sindh are always welcome to do business in India. If you don't try you will never know the outcome of it. I was always jaleous about the fantastic laying of the Punjab and Sindh and its people, it has the most strategic way as a country with food, culture, orginal etnicity and society and ancient artificacts. As a person of Rawalpindi etnicity having stayed in India don't like those other etnicities
I am still waiting for UN plebiscite vote in my homeland Kashmir. The sooner Kashmir gains freedom, the closer will be freedom, peace, and the end of duplicity against Pakistan.
Pakistan should lobby OIC, Turkey, Arab countries, and pressure Iran and Afghanistan to support Kashmiri freedom and pan-Islamic freedom globally.
@Usman Aziz:
People like you thrive on lies and conspiracy theories. Without anything to substantiate your claim, you simply want to spread hatred amongst already prejudiced masses. People like you are more dangerous than any nuke weapon. People like you become someone like Hitler, who thrive only on hatred and wont stop at spreading blatant lies even if it means more lives lost. I wish ET can start moderating comments like yours to maintain harmony, Because your statement has nothing but just conspiracy theory spawned from lies. If you have any proof of what you mentioned please share the link or reference to that article. I bet you wont.
@ET: Its my humble request to publish this comment. If India Pakistan ever needs to go ahead with friendship, comments like that from Usman Aziz here needs to be rebutted.
Basically, what Pakistanis are saying about India's PM Narendra Modi inviting Pakistan's PM Nawaz Sharif to India and Nawaz Sharif visiting India is: He called; he conquered.
@Usman Aziz: On Indian weapons and medicines recovered from the terrorists that carried out the Karachi airport attack, I will only say that if, as part of economic terrorism, printing fake Indian currency and flooding it in the Indian market can be done, then marking weapons to fake India as their origin is far too easy to do.
Since he has taken charge of PM he is very keen to to make friendship with India but India is not responding to his gesture but he is shy to name the real problems confronting both countries. There are two major problems awaiting solution most urgently. One is the Kashmir problem and the other is the construction of dams by India on the rivers which were given to Pakistan by Indus Water treaty and now India has stopped water flowing through these rivers to Pakistan. India will never solve these problems through negotiations as is evident from Indian behaviour during the last 65 years.Pakistan is currently facing proxy war imposed by India and India is interfering indirectly in Baluchistan and Fata to destabilise Pakistan and our rulers are not so courageous to take up these issues with India boldly.
If india is involved then great. I like it. I hope they do better than this. until revenge for 26/11 is completely taken we should not stop.
@Usman Aziz: Head in the sand. TTP and Al Qaeda claimimg joint operation and yet your are blaming India, When TTP chief was killed, your religious parties called him a martyr. No need to mention where the Al Qaeda chief was found,
@The Failed Rebel: some facts; 1) Those responsible for Gujarat riots have been convicted including 33 Hindus 2) Modi was exonerated for his role by SC of India 3) in last 12 years when Modi was in power, there was not a sinle riot in Gujarat 4) in the last Gujarat municipal elections BJP was elected from Muslim majority constituencies and this time around in national elections too it was elected from constituencies with Very large proportion of Muslims showing that lies and hate mongering go only so far. Based on the above 3 Modi has nothing o be ashamed of. 5) not a sinle Pakistani died in the Gujarat riot anyway so it is none of Pakistan"s business
Now Kargill did happen on Nawaz Sharif's watch and thousands of Indian soldiers died during that war in case you did not notice. So if at all anyone cold have indlged in pointscoring it is Modi and not Sharif.
@Parvez: not sure i follow. What lesson was Sharif supposed to learn?
What Nawaz Sharif is doing is one of statesmanship which should be appreciated by all Pakistanis who believe in normalising relations with India. NS has been subjected to unwarranted criticism whereas Pak media is also playing a negative role by focusing as well as criticising India's concerns on terrorism across its border which the latter pointed out as the biggest road block in improving relations between the two countries and rightly so. The ball squarely lies in the Pakistan's court who can surely mend its ties with India by reviewing its decades old policy on LoC which has proved to be disastrous at home and spoiled relations with all its neighbours.
@Pakistani reader: OK, didn't know the name of the one who is spreading the canard until you told me. Saw videos on youtube. But where is the evidence, where is the connection? Someone saying something and a few pictures of what appear to be ammunition? Somehow it is supposed to mean that Uzbeki TTP militants are using Indian rocket launchers and grenades when they can get all of these locally. Surprisingly the rocket launchers didn't work, so the airplanes were.not destroyed?
No Indian will accept these theories, primarily because we have nothing to gain by an attack on Karachi airport.
Pakistan's agencies have said that the terrorists carried arms that appeared to be of Indian and Russian origin.
Importantly, they also said the terrorists were prepared for a long fight and carried with them dry fruits, presumably dates. Just two months ago, Saudis had sent a shipment of 200 tons of dates to Pakistan !!!!!!!!!
Weapons are bought and sold in unauthorized arms markets ... Pakistan and Afghanistan has plenty of them in the border areas ... Pakistani and Chinese weapons are recovered from the slain terrorists in India on routine basis ... has India ever made this an issue ... ??
Kindly read the news "Hamid Gul Says...." both in 'tribune' and 'dawn' of today. It is said "Widely viewed as a “Godfather” figure for Pakistan’s strategy of using proxies to exert influence in neighbouring countries, the 77-year-old retired general is still seen by some observers as offering a window into the mindset of the military establishment." As long as the Army lays the foreign policy can the PM succeed????
@Patriotic Pakistani: Yes bring back the army rule.. quick and fast.
@Usman Aziz: Keep listening to your ' charmed piper' the Army and keep walking behind their propaganda. God bless.
@Pakistani reader, First, according to you, what is the definition of "concrete evidence"?, sorry I ask because what the world sees as apparent is something you see as unapparent.
About Ajmal Kasab, you guys even disowned him claiming him to be an Indian. It was your own news channel which carried out sting operations and proved that he was a pakistani and then later to coverup your embarrassment you dropped in a bait "oh, since we are caught with our pants down, lets us investigate the matter together and try to come with save our face strategy".
I have a dream. That Karachi becomes one of the biggest business hubs in the world and I am shopping there. It appears that it is going to come true now.
@TiffinBox, @Ahmed, All i can say to u both is that u are like those kids who call "Roti as Chochi" If u can call a person who carried out mumbai attacks as a Pakistani who while dying asked for forgiveness from bhagwan on record, just on the hue and cry of ur media???? How come every attack in india including ur PM falling in bath is blamed on Pakistan???? and when here we say the terrorist used wpns and ammo was supplied by india, you say the world does not trust us???? Plz come out of ur dreams and start facing reality. India is not a very trust worthy country be any stretch of imagination either. So stop being innocent. You have a long history of atrocities.
Kashmir issue is byproduct of Pakistan's two nation theory. India does not believe in that theory. So Kashmir might be Pakistan's problem and not India's. Gone are the days when India could be blackmailed through Jihadis and Nuclear bombs. Modi is not a person who will beg for restraint from his enemies. He will respond in enemy's language, be China or Pakistan or any other country. Pakistan can not be peaceful with neighbors unless she learns to be peaceful with itself. .
Untimely to say the least. Pakistan burns while Mr. Sharif pursues a personal reconciliation agenda with an unresponsive Mr. Modi. Has he said anything about the Karachi attacks?
@Another Pakistani After Osama bin laden was captured right next to our army facilities, our credibility in the international community is all time low. We all know TTP carried out the Karachi airport attack and we know what what motivates them.
People like you make us look like fools and Pakistan to be the laughing stock of the world. Please be rational. Try it for a change.
@Sazeen:
Do not please question the sincerety of the Prime Minister, but his competence which is obviouly lacking. But whatever you wish or do please do not compell the army young turks to take the matters in hand and start the next round of military rule. Believe me, this army brass have neither the strong backbones nor the capacity to hold this country as a one unit. .
Rex Minor .
@sharabi: I am against all conspiracy theories. I believe we have a home-grown problem and needs to be eliminated along with their supporters like @Pakistani reader who just do senseless propaganda without any logical/rational proof? If your are so sure @Pakistani reader then why hasn't the army come out with any proofs?? Why do you blame Nawaz Shareef only? Army is silent because there is nothing to prove anything except the Taliban.
@Ahmed
It seems that some Pakistanis have touched a raw nerve :D You seem to have no idea bout the regional security situation and the way foreign intelligence agencies operate in other countries. @Pakistani Reader is right because the weapons and the packets of medicines recovered have been shown on various media channels. It seems that you did not search the social media hard enough. :) It is a fact that terrorist groups are being supported by foreign agencies and some indian officials have accepted their role in Balochistan. The PTI, and the JI are in support of talking with those groups which are willing to give up weapons.
@ALL @Ahmed For 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack, India have provided few of Proofs to US Federal Government & based upon this information US Justice Department Convicted David Hadley as US Citizen and that too in US not in India. Now anyone want to say something? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Headley Conspiracy theories will not help you to resolve these problem instead it will malign the Image of your Country. Thus please open your eyes & Wipe-out this cancer of terrorism
Dear Mr Nawaz Sharif,
You are not interested in the well being and prosperity of the poverty ridden people of both countries, your main interest lies in strengthening trade ties with India and expand your family business so please stop making this nation fool yet again.
Your's Sincerely Nation@Patriotic Pakistani: You mean Russia also involved in this attack.....oh my god!!!
@Usman Aziz: The man is a spineless coward. He will protect his looted assets first rather han protecting Pakistan.
His intellect is questionable. Modi winning the landslide election confirms that two nation theory was in fact true and no matter what nawaz sharif does, he cannot change the hindu mindset.
@Pakistani reader: What footage? I have been scouring social media, haven't found one credible footage, one picture?? Height of lies! Why is the army silent?? India accused Pakistan right from the start. Why is Pakistan silent officially? Because they have noting to prove.
Your brothers have taken the responsibility, move on with it and spare us militants!
@Usman Aziz Blind people like you are the real reason for what Pakistan is suffering today. Live in Denial Mode, If you want to do something positive for your country, Remove hatred from your heart and Do not Propagate conspiracy theories, Do you really think that any Sane Country is gonna belv you?
@Pakistani reader: What dynamics? Care to mention? Where is the official version? When has army said that India is involved? And that Indians weapons were found?? India has always stated clearly, what is stopping Pakistan?? Who are you to tell me to not comment? Apologists like you also need to be taken to cleaners along with your brothers.
Believing this world or not can not change the ground reality. There is no country in our region that is not a victim of Indian state sponsored terrorism.@TiffinBox:
I'm not sure where to start and what to say about our rigged PM. Let me remind all the Pakistani he ll never put country interest ahead of his own business empire. Who he bring along with him while visiting India? Hussain Nawaz and for what?
I'm ashamed he didn't have time to meet with Kashmiris but do have time to see some Bollywood chicks and his business partners.
He is quite keen to start business with India leaving fundamental disputes unresolved. Would it be possible? He needs to learn from North Korea and South Korea industrial zone example.
He just wanted to pass by Kashmir, Balochistan, Samjhootha Express and many more fundamental matters and only wanted to talk about his 2013 mandate( RIGING) and trade.
I would just like to say, it's pathetic!!!
shouldnt he be spending some time writing letters to the TTP?
We need to stop the narrative here:
We want peace, and harmony and excellent relations with India, BUT
India has to stop supporting cross border terror.
We have to start an international campaign to highlight UN resolutions on Kashmir, the 100,000 Kashmiris butchered by the Indian Army, the thousands of Kashmiri women and girls gang raped by the Indian Army.
Take immediate and urgent measures to ensure water security@TiffinBox: have you read the 7 strategies of Kautilya Chanakya to deal with enemy neighbour countries? The 5th strategy is using "illusion", deceit or Maya?
Similarly they made you believe that laden was in Pakistan, Kasab was a Pakistani Punjabi, the world trade building was destroyed from cameleers..........without presenting any logical proof.
@Ahmed: Ahmed my friend, if you don't understand the dynamics of intelligence agencies, then kindly do not comment.
@TiffinBox: Your 'competent' Indian officials, who had 'authentication' from leading world agencies blamed Hafiz saeed for carrying out Mumbai attacks but did not give Pakistani authorities access to Ajmal Kasab for interrogation. God knows why?. Your competent authorities failed to provide concrete evidence against Saeed and he was acquitted by Pakistani court. I wonder how many 'competent' officials are there in India anyway?
@Strategic Asset:
The media channels in Pakistan have been carrying out footage of Indian weapons recovered from terrorists. This issue is being discussed in media channels as well (Dunya TV, Waqt News, and other channels). The unnamed DG is Major General Rizwan Akhtar, director general Sindh of Pakistan Rangers. There are intelligence reports which indicate that the terrorist groups in Balochistan and northern areas are being funded by foreign agencies.
........Nawaz still has not learnt his lesson.......what a pity.
First off, the Pakistani PM is loosing moral mandate to rule as rigging allegations are surfacing against his favour and the ground is crumbling beneath his feet now. Secondly, the Indian PM has absolutely no honour evident from the fact that he handed over his demands to a guest. Such a shameful attitude it was that any respectable leader would have walked out. But, unfortunately, the one on the other side was a false egotist who can only show his strength to the weak. A corrupt B-class public representative who has proven cases of corruption against him and his family members. Nawaz Shareef should have ripped that paper and pointed Modi's shameful actions to him. Thirdly, we cannot have peace with India till there are flames burning in Kashmir. Daily women and children are raped, houses desecrated. These American puppets ruling Pakistan think that this Muslim nation is dead inside. This is why they act against the sentiment of people. I have lost faith that we will ever have peace with India. We don't need it. Hind will fall if they do not stop the crimes they are committing in Kashmir.
How about reducing the defense budget for a start?
@Patriotic Pakistani: @Another Pakistani:
If indeed Indian weapons and medicines were found during or after the Karachi airport conflagration which have already been claimed by the TTP, don't you think Pakistani television channels would be showing it 24X7 and newspapers like ET & Dawn would be displaying pictures prominently all over their website?
Instead one unnamed DG (Rangers) says something snide and all of you pick that up.
Similarly for so-called Indian interference in Baluchistan, has Pakistan ever provided one shred of evidence?
A good politician never does what he says. His any statement is bla, bla,bla...
@Another Pakistani, ill tell you one major difference between a competent Pakistani and and incompetent Indian. A competent Pakistani official says he has tons of proves of Indian involvement but when asked, can never produce any. On the other hand, an incompetent Indian official backs his saying by producing proves which is even authenticated by leading world agencies.
@irshad45:
Mr Irshad, I seriously doubt that you are a Pakistani but if you are then let me remind you that the Samjhota Express incident and Indian interference in Balochistan. You must be aware of the fact that the current Indian NSA is known for carrying out covert operations in Pakistan. You must be aware as you belong to his country.
It is amusing to read comments by Indian readers, When Mumbai attacks took place, you people wasted no time in blaming Pakistan. And now when a competent Pakistani official has hinted India's involvement in the attack, you have started panicking. Amazing!
@Ahmed: You people are not only witnessing but participating voluntarily in the asymetric war which is now taking place from Iraq to Syria and Lebanon to Karachi and Afghanstan and to chechinia in Russia. It was fortunate that the perpetrators were not able to highjack the planes, but there will be other attempts in other airports. They are domestic grown 'Resistanc' and have apparently the support from foreign elements.
Rex Minor.
The core dispute between India and Pakistan is resumption of dialogue. This unresolved matter should be addressed.
Pakistan is ready to face all challenges. The alliance of Japan, Russia, India, Sweden, US, Israel, Norway, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh against Pakistan will be defeated.
Amused to read the comments of my Pakistani friends Indian,Russian Arms and Mediines found from the TTP militants who attacked Karachi airport but they forget mention Indian ccurreny, those who attached Mumbai and one of them was caught who was a Pakistani itizen satellite phone signals emanating from Pakistani which are taped in whih their commander was giving instrutions but your Govt refused to aept all this evidene and you want that we accept your theory how can it be possible. If India is behind TTP why your Govt is negotiating with them your army must rush them and we thank the Pak army go and kill all of them. Atually you are paying for your own sins.
@Usman Aziz: Dear Usman, don't be fooled by some vested people in Pakistan that Indian made weapons and medicines were found with terrorists. If there is an iota of truth in this rumour, Pakistan would have raised this issue with India long back.
@Usman Aziz: do you even read your newspapers and listen to radio? TTP has accepted responsibility for the attack that exonerates India and Russia. Now some Muslim sympathisers may have sold these weapons to the TTP.
@Patriotic Pakistani: @Usman Aziz: Breaking news: Their jeans and hat was made in China. Now China is involved too.
@Usman Aziz:
The current Kashmiri Prime Minister of Pakistan has lost his mandate to rule Pakistan for a number of reasons including his last unprepared visit to participate in the coronation of the Enemy which in the absence of a peace traty is officialy at war with a ceasefire along the lines of control. Pakistan army at his request has pulled back to cities and cantonments. Is there an imeachment procedure or No Confidence motion in the parliament in Pakistan democracy? The man from 80's is unsuitable to resolve issues in 2014.
Rex Minor
@Patriotic Pakistani: @Usman Aziz: I thought the TTP had accepted responsibility! But you still want to deny it. If TTP are indeed Indian agents then why do we want to have dialogues with them?? If that is so, then IK, PTI, JI are all Indian agents too? You people will never open your eyes!!
We want peace across Pakistan as well as in the entire world, are peacful nation, conveying message of peace to the whole world and capable to counter any conspired onslaught. Long live Pakistan................
For those writing comments about indian arms being recovered from terrorists in Karachi… it's not like we are innocent and have not exported any terror to India…. Two countries together are #1 spenders on arms and have the poorest populace…. it's high time they end this enmity and resolve their issues peacefully,… doesn't mean exchange territory but it's about making the boundaries irrelevant
@Usman Aziz, Indian weapons and medicine found?, do you really think the world believes what you or your agencies have to say?. Trust needs credibility, ever heard that .... ever. Remember, not long ago your country, your government, your agency were saying that bin laden wasn't in pakistan, remember at all?? ..... and where did that marines find him cooling off his feet??. Get to the bottom of the truth, you guys are facing what you created.
this bug MNS should be deported to INDIA, he is gone nuts now.
I am out of words, Terrorists in Karachi found using Indian Arms and Medicines just couple of days ago and our rigged PM sends well wishes to indian PM, nothing but feel ashamed of being ruled by such a person...........
Let us be practical. India will never budge from its stand. Pakistan will also rather perish than compromise on the issue. Where is the room for negotiation? Don't get me wrong, both parties want peace but there is no leeway on either side. At the risk of sounding pessimistic, I'll have to say that this issue will only be resolved when there is a tumultuous change in the status-quo between the two nations. That could take any shape or form.