Indian premier Narendra Modi (L) and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (R). PHOTOS: REUTERS/FILE
Eleven days after he received a missive from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, new Indian premier Narendra Modi sent a reply across the border, thanking the PM for his recent visit to India.
Modi writes to ‘dear Mian Sahib’ that his participation at his swearing-in ceremony ‘added a special sheen to the event’ and demonstrated ‘the strength of democracy in our region’. The Indian prime minister also offers his condolences for the attack on Jinnah International Airport last Sunday, describing it as ‘senseless and barbaric’.
In a warmly worded letter, Modi speaks of “a relationship between India and Pakistan defined by peace, friendship and cooperation” that would “unleash enormous opportunities for our youth, secure a more prosperous future for our people and accelerate progress across our region”.
While Prime Minister Sharif has been criticised on his home turf for failing to bring up certain issues, such as the Kashmir conflict, during his talks with the Indian PM, Modi writes that he was ‘encouraged’ by his talks with his Pakistani counterpart and their ‘convergence on views’.
“I look forward 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,” Modi writes in his letter.
The letter concludes with a word of thanks for the sari PM Sharif sent for Modi’s mother, saying the gesture is ‘deeply appreciated’.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2014.
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@T: Watch TV talkshow Kyun - june 13, 2014. They show the label of the India made drug the terrorists were carrying. The label shows that that the drugs were imported and marketed by by: Al Mirza Pharma (Pvt.) Ltd., Shafi Court, Karachi, Pakistan. Qamar Zaman Kaira said that Pakistan imports many drugs from India and this drug was imported by Al Mirza Pharma (Pvt.) Ltd., Karachi. The terrorists have purchased it from Pakistan and not that India supplied it to them. Mr. Kaira also clarified clearly in the same TV talk show that Pakistan has not and could not supply any proof to India of its involvement in Baluchistan. All that Pakistan's PM said to Indian PM Mr. Manmohan Singh during their meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh was that Pakistan has concerns of activities of Indian Embassies based in Afghanistan and they did not have any proof. Here is the link to the TV Talk show "Kyun" ... June 13, 2014. http://www.awaztoday.tv/News-Talk-Shows/59285/Kyun-13th-June-2014.aspx
Also, ready the Op-Ed by Najmuddin Sheikh in today's ET titled "What does the Karachi airport attack signify?" Here is the link: http://tribune.com.pk/story/721400/what-does-the-karachi-airport-attack-signify/
@T: Indian supplied medicines are available all over the world including in Pakistan in open market. When TTP and AlQaeda have claimed a joint operation, what sense does this acccusation make anyway?
Love story of 2014. Modi doesn't know there Viber or whatsup available instead of writing letters.
Mian Sahib is very naive to think of this being anywhere near 'meaningful' when the airport in Karachi burns and our forces have to fight off terrorists with arms and medicine supplied by Mr. Modi. We are ruled by self serving interests that will never keep Pakistanis interests in mind.