Felicitating Modi and people of India on their 66th on behalf of people and government of Pakistan, Nawaz said, “It is our sincere wish to forge relations between our two countries.” PHOTO: AFP
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has written a letter to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, expressing his desire to forge "friendly and cooperative" relations between the two neighbouring countries.
Felicitating, on behalf of people and government of Pakistan, Modi and the people of India on their 66th Republic Day, the prime minister wrote, “It is our sincere wish to forge relations between our two countries.”
Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to developing friendly relations with India on the basis of sovereign equality, respect and common interests, the premier said that Pakistan believes that both countries can work together for the well being of people of countries, development and attainment of common goal of peaceful and prosperous region.
“I avail myself of this opportunity to you, and for the happiness and prosperity of the people of Indian,” Nawaz wrote.
The year kicked off with an escalation in deadly border violations, with two soldiers being killed in cross-border firing with Indian border guards near the Sialkot working boundary on January 1, spurring a ‘strong’ protest from Islamabad.
Islamabad has blamed New Delhi for ceasefire violations along the LoC and working boundary in a bid to distract its security forces from the ongoing fight against terrorism.
A constant blame game and trust-deficit has prevented the two nuclear neighbors from normalising bilateral ties despite a promising start last year when Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attended the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi.
Furthermore, India abruptly cancelled high-level talks with Pakistan last year after the Pakistani high commissioner was seen meeting Hurriyat leaders in India.
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@H Chaudhry: Many comments, including yours, gives us a hope that the young and educated in Pakistan are breaking the shackles of tutted/twisted history being taught. We are so happy that today the desire to come close for mutual advancement and benefit is taking shape. Yes we in India are very keen to stand together for prosperity and peace of this subcontinent where we lived happily for ages.
@sardarzaheer: My comment is addressed more to the other readers rather than to Mr sardarzaheer. His comment clearly showcases as to how teaching a doctored and twisted history can keep the people away from truth and poison their minds. I request Mr sardarzaheer to read more and specially the events and history of India and Pakistan penned by international historians to know the facts.
@Mashael: The best in your comments is "The war is economic now and no more weapons based. Become strong and then you can dictate. People who chose to walk the wrong way will only be found wanting at the other end of history." This is one truth that is being NOT boldly told to people of Pakistan.They still worship military leaders of past and live in times when sword ruled the world. And this is why they fail to see that after second world war the world has entered a new phase.
Statement comes at an ill fated time specially after US President’s visit and the violations in Sialkot sector. Considering these factors, wish somebody in foreign office would have apprised him of the situation. PM could have simply congratulated, instead of emphasizing the importance of good neighbour (with LOC violations occurring every day). Oh! our naive PM.
@Azi Again your opinions albeit really illiterate ones. However, for ages Pakistan is also buying arms and India is too big to just buy arms for Pakistan. Try to think logically and put things in to perspective. Buying arms and economic relations are mutually exclusive. With large nuclear arms inventory, Pakistan has enough deterrence. India is buying arms because it CAN, because it can afford to, because it has done remarkably well economically, because of the power of BRICS. Go see where the next economic war is being fought and won. You really sound like a young person with a lot of misguided history lessons. I was once same, where we were told how great Ghauri. Suri, Ghaznavi were when in reality they were animals. Use the power of internet to research where we stand and where rest of the world. Strategic assets and strategic depth has given us 50,000 dead bodies and 150 children slaughtered. No its NOT INDIA that did it, its the assets our finest created. There is no if than but about it. As for Indian not wanting relations, well let me just say you are quite naïve if you really think that any one will not look at economic benefit but just so you know India wanted MFN from Paksitan and gave us MFN long time ago. Its our rhetoric of keep putting Kashmir in every thing when in reality Kashmir WILL NEVER EVER be part of Pakistan. Right or wrong that boat has sailed. UN has not authority and India is too strong and West has too much interests in India. So Logical step is to conver LOC to international border and move forward. Spend on our universities, schools, hospitals instead of buying used F16s in name of defence when our record is 0-4 in wars. Siachen was taken right under the feet of our finest generals, Bangladesh and Genocide with in is a Shame for our finest. As for me not Pakistani or pretending, let me just say this whatever floats your boat.
Sir, We Thank you for your your good wishes and the good wishes of people of Pakistan. We very much appreciate your commitment to developing friendly relations with India on the basis of sovereign equality, respect and common interests and your belief that both countries can work together for the well being of people of both the countries, development and attainment of common goal of peaceful and prosperous region. Sir, we wish that your dream which is our dream also, comes true. Causes of failure for this dream to come true are better known to the common people of both our countries. Who will deny that long lasting relations between two countries can only be based on sovereign equality, respect and common interests. It is sad that our relations have been soured by false egos, senseless jealousy, meaning less competitions on the cost of true welfare of our people. Meaning less hatred and desire of revenge has repeatedly over shadowed, the good and sincere efforts of your good self and our Prime Ministers like Ms Atal Bihari Bajpaye and Manmohan Singh. We the people of both the countries are looking forward that this time Your good self and Mr Modi succeed for the good of our people who have lived together from centuries. Sincerely, Indian
@H Chaudhry:
You sound like one of those self-hating people. And for some reason you still cannot grasp the simple statement with evidence of India's no interest in having economic relations on a level you are wishing. I bet you didn't even read my comments which provided you with every bit of reasoning but jumped to respond because its very easy to hit reply on internet.
In case you havnt noticed yet, your lovely neighbor...or you yourself (because its not hard to act pakistani online esp for indians) is going all the way to buy latest weapons in huge quantities, so much so that it is the largest importer.
Although I would love to see you wave your peace stick in hopes of economic relations revival when they respond back to you with the weapons purchased, however, fortunately the military leadership is much better off in maturity.
@Azi There is no such things as "Corruption free Army" in our country. Try to get your facts. The last thing you should do is being dishonest and for your previous comment, last 4 times F16 did not deter the defeats.
As for showing spine or NS not having spine, this is purely your opinion, albeit a poor one but wanting a peaceful region benefits Paksitan more than any one. Also, trying to put blame of every thing and any thing on India is moral corruption and dishonesty so for your own sake, I ask you to research and figure remarkable failuers of our finest and how they get away leaving things for politicians.
@BlackJack:
"Tragedy is that Nawaz Sharif is much better at foreign relations than at governing his country, and thus does not have enough domestic political capital to keep his army/ ISI in check."
You raised a question and also answered your own question. How can any Pakistani civilian PM can ever have "good" domestic political capital when the real authority and power behind the scene is the army hanging over your neck like the Damocles' Sword?
@Gp65:
All that MFN status is no good when Indians keep staging acts only to blame others and then halting any and all business over one of those acts. Dont drag NS in here, if you havnt noticed as of yet, most people dont like him as our PM and dont agree with his ever soft stance on India. My point still stands, India is very unreliable because of its chameleon like behavior. First it makes up stories only to create a new fuss and many times falls over its own sword. For example, Jupiter/ drone case, whistle blower in 26/11 case, calling a flag meeting and shooting at soldiers adhering to the request. What makes you think India is actually interested in economic relations after all this?
@Milind:
Ofcorse you wouldn't have a problem with a guy turning out to be a cancer for Pakistan. As far as IK goes, yes he is a pleasant guy as I have mentioned before but obviously reading the whole text isnt one of your strengths. I said, he would want good relations with neighbors but when the time comes for him to show spine he will. As far as army goes, its the single corrupt free entity in Pakistan and really has no reason to pick a fight with India esp when its busy in its own operations. Army is important enough with in us and doesnt need to put any effort on it. On the other hand you have IA that would blame Pakistan on even something as low as a bee sting. Desperately trying to gain sympathy of public by making 3rd class acting videos of infiltrators and the same IQ public actually buying it.
I see many madrassah graduates under the tutelage of Hafiz Saeed making comments here. Get real education guys. Your life it seems is not beyond the madrassah teaching.
Indians sponsor terrorism in Pakistan and keep blaming Pakistan for all their ill and our corrupt self respect devoid rulers keep licking Indians' feet in abject humiliation.
Respect you Nawaz Sir for your sincerity.
@Grammar Teacher, the usage of the word 'peoples' is correct.
@SardarZaheer: Wow, you're very good at this. Your comment beautifully distills all that I have to say to deluded Aman ki Asha types on this side of the border. I want to copy your comment in toto and represent it verbatim as an exhibit of Pakistan's viewpoint in a nutshell. Do I have your kind permission?
@Asad Khan: it is not solved in 68 years and will nt be in another 68 years... if we go like this... it is upto pak if u wants to move ahead in othr matter... as ind has shown it will move ahead with other countries including yur friend china....
@azi - "You Indians just wish IK doesn’t become PM, he is our equivalent of your modi."
Please..... IK has gone on record acknowledging good relations with India... And Indians are not against IK being the PM of Pakistan. In fact we don't have any issues with your mainstream politicians. Whatever their shortcomings, they seem to be pragmatic and giving them a free run will help improve Pakistan's relations and image abroad. Its your army-industrial complex that wants to keep the conflict with India alive to maintain their validity & importance.
@Mashael: Thumbs up to your understanding as an outsider.
"People" itself is a plural .. !!!- Peoples -!!!
@Azi: "First it doesn’t want economic relations with Pakistan"
It gave MFN status to Pakistan in 1996 . In lieu of India waiving its objections to Pakistan specific tax waivers by EU, Pakistan promsied MFN status to India in 2011. India did its part, Pakistan first delayed implementation and asked for a year to implement. Then it sataged implementation by beheading Indian soldier. Finally in December 2013 Nawaz sent Shahbaz to India to work on trade liberalization and promsied to rename MFN to NDMA (non-discriminatory market access) since the term MFN was confusing people. India agreed and bureacrats of bth countries worked hard to come p with an agreement. When it was ready o sign in April 2014, Nawaz plled back at the last moment due to pressure by army and refused to sign.
These are facts. It is clear who is not interested in trade.
Former president General Musharraf has tried his best to normalise relationship with India and to establish trade with it. If they really wanted to live in peace, it could have happened in Musharraf's era.
The demands of India must be fair, and Pakistan's too. A meaningful dialog with sincere leadership can resolve all issues including Kashmir, Mumbai attack and LOC violations. How easy it is for our Indian friends to write over and over that they want the government to eliminate terrorists and hand over lakhvi etc when their own agencies are involved in the attacks on mosques and peshawar school. India is no saint and Indian Army and agencies are equally rogue as they claim Pakistan's to be. The debate is never ending and I know Indians may have a lot to say in response to this post and we will then have a lot to say to their posts. Both governments have to have a clear heart and open mind. War and hate must end. All leaders must watch the movie PK for educational purpose and learn to love each other.
@Cynic Waheed: Those who are critising you here ask them what is the cost of countries respect ? Call girls also earn, why then talk bad about them after all this brings money to their home.
Positive Move by PM. Appreciated.
@Blithe: For once I agree with you. PM Sherif has shown great leadership. For him, Pakistan's economy and finding solutions to problem faced by common people takes precedence over his ego. I applaud your PM.
@Asif: Isn't pakistan shooting us at the borders.. Dude grow up, stop crying and stop lying. You guys are the one who celebrated 26/11 attacks and boom karma did hit you back. But unlike you guys we didn't celebrate that massacre. Instead we felt the pain.
Looking at the comments above, most Pakistanis are blaming Sharif for 'begging' India for talks. Which is strange, given the fact that the political establishment in Pakistan cannot act independently without getting the army's buy-in, on major policy or foreign affairs decisions.
Its a win-win situation for the army - if Sharif fails army steps in and appears as the knight in shining armour, if he appears to be succeeding, the army either sabotages it or jumps in and takes the credit. Naïve Pakistanis fall for this act.
@sardarzaheer: Could u please type some more!!! Also, please make sure include some other gems like: 'vice roy' 'progrss' 'destablited' 'mojor' 'offencive'
NS heart is at right place but his army and the people like Hafeez Saeed will never let such friendship happen. Start with deciding whether u want to talk to separatists or elected representative of Kashmir and India.
Asking for friendship is not begging ..I respect Mian Sahab for this !
@Waqar: There is no shortage of the traitors in this country like you.
@imran ghori: He came to power only coz of one agenda that is development and nothing else..
With this letter, correctly worded too, Nawaz comes across a mature statesmanlike leader & makes Modi look like a sulking, ill tempered pipsqueak.
@Sardarzaheer. This is your side made up story. Now read independent world history,bangladesh history, indian history books and compare with yours. Who changed the events in text books to suit your narrative while rest sources remain the same? You will get your answer. Specially when you know after denying no Osama, we didn't do any Kargil non state actors did.. Latter admit. You know who's expert in changing narrative to fool its people. Come out of conspiracies and look into facts. Your country will progress ahead.
US and China have both told Pakistan to mend our ways with india. If we stop infiltrating terrorists from the Indian border and take action against LeT ( 2 demands of the World), then peace with India will be reached.
@Asad Khan: Jammu kashmir is not a issue ,r you ppl will never get, or if you ppl don't wanna see truth, then you will pay heavy price like you past,or if you wanna pay then gud luk.
I wish if letter like this can work to foster long term peace for both nations...India has never accepted Pakistan existence with open heart since day one million were killed during migration which was result of unjustified divide Pakistan should have gurdaspur Hyderabad east Punjab and Kashmir but was deprived from its right instead India by having strong army because of its acceptence to sharing power with British vice roy attacked Pakistan we did survived thanks to our brave country man and few years latter when Pakistan was on path of progrss India attacked again with wish to have drinks at gymkhana lahore but nation reclined and secured victory against Indian might with meager resources and then come 1971 it was time when Pakistan was facing problems due to internal conflicts rather helping india exploited and through its RAW created mukti bani and destablited east wing of Pakistan and attacked on west as well we lost this war just cus our own brothers in Bengal were used against us through RAW controversy which is open in history...and on Kargal issue Pakistan helped occupying two peaks in no man land to secure a position like India did for siachen the Indian propagated it too much and lost a mojor part of its offencive army and our pm lost this on table due to his business interests in india and while our troops were leaving their positions and coming back were cowardly attacked by India against war rules... and now India is funding all anti Pakistan militants through its consulates in india
dear pakistanis, as a commoner Indian, I do not see any value addition to Indian economic growth by Pakistan. peaceful Co existence is good for both countries. You are hearing only one side of the story.Except getting rid of the nuisance value of your strategic assets,there is no other way forward.You are sandwiched between hostile countries due to your own foreign policies.Be a good boy and behave!
The other Sharif, the COAS, needs to visit India first and do the legwork for the "ceremonial NS". Without COAS involvement nothing substantive will occur, only photo ops. If the relations were cordial between the two countries, India could have supplied some electricity to Pakistan in its hour of need.
In the meantime, Pakistan can pay attention to its urgent issues of electricity, Petrol and other basic necessities. China has offered nice words, nothing tangible to Pakistan.
Even though these are ceremonial gestures they must be appreciated. Countries will have differences, however they need to maintain civil behavior.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s letter is based on the wholly erroneous assumption that we in India somehow want Pakistan to carry India’s developmental burden. I would like to take this opportunity to correct this faulty Pakistani assumption by pointing out that in India there is zero expectation of the need for Pakistan to take on any burden of the development of India whatsoever There likewise is zero expectation of Pakistan having to take on any burden whatsoever of looking after the wellbeing of the people of India. On the contrary here in India we firmly believe that Pakistan should instead remain exclusively focused on the development of Pakistan and on improving the wellbeing of the people of Pakistan.
The above view is based on two factors. The first being that given the puny size of Pakistan’s GDP relative to India’s, Pakistan’s ability to help India in a meaningful way is inconsequential. The second is that Pakistan is currently in such a parlous state that it requires vast injections of funds from foreign donors making its ability to help India belong purely to the realm of day dreams.
Rather than offer unwanted help on developmental issues in order to gain India’s friendship, Pakistan would be better placed to achieve its ends by ceasing to foment Islamic Terrorism by extraditing terrorists such as Hafiz Saeed, Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi and Dawood Ibrahim.
The bottom line is that rapprochement with India necessarily requires Pakistan to end waging Jihad under a Nuclear Umbrella against India by arranging for the blood of Islamic Terrorists sheltering in Pakistan to be shed
This letter is clearly indicative of a tussle .... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ between the Civilians and Military.Having been robbed of responsibility of relations with US, UK & China, NS is saying...I am in charge of the India desk.
I dont know why friends from Pak are so upset with this letter. After all it is a courtesy letter to a neighbor on a day of their celebration. Didnt India mourn with you on Peshawar massacre. Chill it guys. You may have umpteen reason to have a go on your PM starting from power problems but this certainly is not one such reason.
The onus of talks is on India.. +++++++++++++++++++++++ Mr PM pls listen to your security adviser. Hitherto only the establishment was ignoring the FO and now you as well? btw onus means zimmewari....:)
It is plain to see that ET is so influential a news paper that... +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ It is cc'd on PMs correspondence ! Most amusing.
Mr NS letter writing is welcome but... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ it does not change ground realities and fails address issues that caused the cessation of talks.So pls actions and not merely words. The timing suggests that it is more an attempt to tell the US " how hard we tried".
Did Nawaz Sharif abandon Sartaj Aziz's road map?
Jagmohan> @Mashael; Your response to the PM,Sharif's good wishes extended to India is realistic and in the best interest of the two neighbors.Love,respect and friendship is always helpful and root out negative bias or ill-feelings.As an Indian I have ample respect for Pakistan,its sovereigntyand its people at large,and pray that Pakistan comes out of its difficulties,brought in by extremism of all kinds, which has hindered its progress and peace.Its a moment to ponder dispassionately and to forget and forgive perceived pitfalls.Indians love Pakistan.
@Asad Khan: The real issue for displaying that blinding hatred for India is Kashmir. India should hand over Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan and everything will fall in place ultimately there will be peace and neighbours will hug and sing.
@Cynic Waheed: Don't worry. Pakistanis always say some thing and do some thing else. This is the same guy who stabbed Vajpayee in the back by doing Kargil. I hope you guys get an Islamic caliphate kind of government soon.
@Mashael: Wonderful Boy. Regards Debasish
@Asad Khan Only solution to Kashim is to make LOC as international border and start looking to a future that is good for both countries.
Bewaquf!!!! As expected.
@Mashael: Thank you for your words, as much as I like to be optimistic, I have been disappointed every time. Something breaks out as soon as two nations start walking on same path...
Before you get anywhere with India , try and do the right thing.
We would like some honesty with the courts - full presentation of evidence , and with transparency we need to prosecute Hamid Saeed.
We need to disband JUD/LET - with no name changes
No more largess to any of the JUD/LET militants - especially not from Punjab
and start talking about getting non Pakistani territory back from China , and having a referendum in Pakistani Kashmir
@woody: Allah is in Charge!
In Nawaz Sharif's defense, the letter is really just a customary felicitation. The couple paragraphs aren't going to thaw anything! Pakistan will probably get a similar message from Modi on March 23rd.
@excalibur: "Charlie Hebdo’s new cartoon depicting the Butcher of Gujrat kissing up to Obama, caption reads ‘all is forgiven’"
And even though Indians respecttheir PM, no one is out in the street protesting a silly cartoon, let alone threatening violence.
@truthbetold: u r right... shariff has the vision at least in indo pak matter... he knows without ending enemity pak can not acheive economy progress.... kashmir can wait... it is not a difficult issue if there is trust
@Cynic Waheed: Have you actually read the letter ??? He has shown statesmanship by congratulating India on it's Republic Day.
There is more than enough jingoism accrosd the border, we don't need you to join in from this side and show pettiness .
Leave it to the statesman and diplomats .
Writing letter is not convincing. Words are for free, no tax on words. Unless NS follows it up with concrete actions on the ground such as handing over Lakhvi and Hafiz Sayeed to India Indian PM will not talk.
only a spineless prime minister can utter such words, stop begging and focus on a better foreign policy
Although one should not question the will of PM Sharif but the everyone who has the slightest piece of common sense knows that the unless the outstanding issue i.e Jammu & Kashmir is not solved the genuine peace remains an elusive dream.
regards,
@Dr. Khalid:
"Stop begging! Our entire nation is ashamed to have an incompitant PM like you. You have lost respect in everyones eyes! I’m glad Raheel took over some of things, otherwise we would be in big trouble! "
Your attitude reflects the real problem with Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif had always rightly wanted to end the enmity between India and Pakistan. He has realized that without ending the confrontational and militaristic attitude towards India, Pakistan would self-destruct as a nation with its economy going backwards and terrorism engulfing the country.
That is why he invited Vajpayee to Lahore. But what happened? Your military predecessor of Raheel, one named Musharraf stabbed Sharif in the back by starting the Kargil war. Now you are happy that Musharraf's reincarnation Raheel to carry forward the same confrontational policies that has ruined Pakistan as a nation.
We voted modi....not war against Pakistan ....not for a ceasefire violation.. We voted for employment.poverty eradication.for cleanliness.. For corruption free..
Now I am proud of our pm ...things are happening.
And in next couple of years...India will transform in better place of the world...my wish is ...if same thing happened in also our neighours...next generation will live more friendly..it can happen if Pakistan government will take strict action against extremist..and comprehensive approach to uplift the situation of girls ...not like modi...at least to fulfill the dream of ur own daughter malala..... Thank you honorable pm Nawaz... JAI HIND
if india pak can forget enemity for some time... and start trade it will be great era.. both country should work together... both have made mistakes in past but let us now start living together
Wow pakistanis don't respect their own PM or his decision. He's just wishing a country and its people on their constitution formation day people. Is it bad to wish good, for others? India wished you on Independence Day. Modi even wished Nawaz on his birthday and prayed for his wellbeing. Do you see us cribbing over it? Grow up and Chill. It's diplomatic norm. Every country does it. @azi "you indians wish ik doesn't become PM, he's our equivalent to modi" Indians like him as sports celeb and dislike him as politician. Because he's like Kejriwal not modi. Big talks, ideals but when in power all they do is anarchy and dharna and street politics. No thanks we don't want or can bear such politicians for us. You can have such people for you, that's your prerogative.I hope Kejriwal loses upcoming elections in Delhi state and never ever come back. IK can never be modi. Because modi puts country first. Himself last. Usa had treated him badly. Yet for his country's interest he didn't let his personal grudges come in between.IK has so many issues with America. Do you see him in future walking an extra mile with america? @imran Ghori modi was elected on development, economy and anti congress rule doing arab dollar curruption. Religion doesn't feed you or give you jobs that we vote on religion. Use some common sense.
@Excalibur Modi is elected PM of a country thus he has immunity of any foreign law. US Visa ban was on Modi the politician and it can not be for Modi the PM of Inida.
@Snagesh. Okay then. Let Modi write a letter to N Sharif and then we ll talk. Just one side doing all the pleading while the other sits with a rod in its neck never brought peace anywhere.
That shows political maturity of nawaz sharif. He is your democratically elected PM, and should be treated with dignity and respect. Even common man does not respect the PM, neither will the judiciary nor the military. I mean the COAS is visiting US then China and people are ok with it, what does the COAS do, make foreign policy decisions?
Nawaz Sharif instead should write this kind of letter to Musharraf!
I don't think this is begging ..respect for Nawaz. Guys how long do we have to keep humiliating, intimidating each other. Let us not expect tectonic changes but let us try to be human. If there are two countries which are similar it is two of us
Charlie Hebdo's new cartoon depicting the Butcher of Gujrat kissing up to Obama, caption reads 'all is forgiven'
Modi is not on the US Visa ban list anymore !
@Asif: With the reliable history of Paistan army it will be difficult to say who shot first at the border. Also, we can progress only when we do not let millitary issues dictate our foreign and trade policies. China doesn't do so and have managed to progress despite having some trouble with almost every neighbour bar Pakistan. I know it upsets us but so does it to the Indians. hey say Pakistan army fired first. So who is the judge here. We can prosper as soon as we move on from milliary issues. And as far as MS corrpution is concerned but if he can foster good relations with India before he goes, I will pray for all his sins to be forgiven because I think he would have done which is far beter than all that he has undone till now.
Dear Mr. PM, what part of NO do u not understand? Either talk to your Hurriyat friends or talk to the Indian Govt. The Hurriyat do not represent people of J&K. At best they represent a small section of the people in the valley. Why don't you meet representatives of the people of Jammu, Ladak and those who voted in the elections. If you think the Hurriyat represents Kashmiris than talk to them what can the Indian Govt offer you? Its your call Mr. PM.
For all NS haters, try to put logic into your brains. You are saying that we can haev relations with Russia, which we fought a long war with but not have friendly relations with our neighbour. Indeed we feel that India has not responded in kind to the advances of our PM but just imagine if you you have been betrayed by a nation throughout your history (a nation whic has been created with the soul motive of hating and destroying you), can you simply forget everything and move on. And yes, I am mentioning about Pakistan betraying India. I am one of the fortunate ones which has read international history outside Pakistan and it is plagued with instances of our betrayal. Watch videos of independent international researchers talking about Pakistan sponsored terrorism on yourtube and you would know what the whole world knows about us. We have done no justice to our cause of seeking independence for Kashmir by using strategic assets because it has done nothing but give us a bad name and spoil our generation. Life has no value in Pakistan- when you teach your kids not to respect life of others, one day they will loose respect for life altogether, including your own. Read respected Indian news sites like NDTV and you will see so little attention being paid to Pakistan news but our whole newspapers are full of news about India. Why? We call their PM onkey and murderer but have you ever heard Indian press using this kind of tone about our leaders even if they are millitary dictators. They dont criticise US when US was hand in hand with Pakistan so why are we causing such a hue and cry about Obama visiting India. So we have a birthright of good relations with US? Be mature and learn the norms of the wider world that we exist in today. The war is economic now and no more weapons based. Become strong and then you can dictate. People who chose to walk the wrong way will only be found wanting at the other end of history. For God's sake grow up.
this is why peoples of international aptness should be culminated to executive posts, instead of taking strategic position pm is writing love letters, i don’t mean that there should be hike in hatred, but to counter your opponents you should at least be vigilant and come out with a rational foreign and strategic policies measures, but what to say where a ruling party not having possessed a any foreign minister and a home minster with vested interests, carry on
@woody:
Excellent point. Just what I was thinking. What was the point in Sartaj Aziz saying that it was up to India to take the first step, if his oss was planning to write the letter within a week.
@imran ghori: "Modi comes in power with huge mandate just because role of anti Muslim and anti Pakistan"
Modi addressed over 400 election campaigns between September 2013 and May 2014. Many of them are available on youtube. Please pride reference to even one speech which is anti-Muslim.
Incidentally, the key issues on which the electuon was fought was growth, employment inflation, corruption. Pakistan was not a factor in the Indian elections of 2014 at all.
That's a mature act from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Hope Modi responds on similar note. The relations between India and Pakistan should at least be peacedul, if not friendly.
Read the actual letter. There is no begging in it. It is just a friendly Republic Day greeting.
@Cynic Waheed Not sure what your problem is besides being cynical.
Friendship with India is a must for us to focus on economic and social development.
Isn't India shooting at us on the borders? Maybe Nawaz Sharif needs to go to the Pakistan-India border and stick his head out of the trench and see for himself. I advise he wear bullet proof helmet.
@Kapil Gupta:
You cant respect a PM that cheats his way up to leadership. After all he has done in every one of his term, that title is well deserved. He also knows this is the last time he can come to PMship so he is going all the way to loot the country. You Indians just wish IK doesn't become PM, he is our equivalent of your modi.
Tragedy is that Nawaz Sharif is much better at foreign relations than at governing his country, and thus does not have enough domestic political capital to keep his army/ ISI in check. I think he genuinely wants good relations (don't we all) but cannot create the right environment for such good relations to fructify. Summed up - the spirit is willing but flesh is weak.
While this is welcome, let us not get carried away here. Actions speak louder than mere rhetoric, so thank you Mr Sharif, but no thanks. Please act agaisnt Dawood, Lakhvi, Hafiz and reign in your rogue militants on the border ( or should I say your army). They have caused immense harm to our relationship as we all may have realised by now. ET mods please publish, i dont think there is anything offensive here.
@H Chaudhry:
While what you say is true, you also should come to terms with the fact that you are dealing with a highly unreliable economic partner.
First it doesn't want economic relations with Pakistan. Second if it did establish some, they would be halted with a single cross border firing with blame games to follow. Now you could have expected some decency from their previous govt. but this one is out with a mission to degrade, alienate, hinder every economic and military progress it can by Pakistan via crying to other countries.
When the time comes to march on to borders, your nice gestures won't be a deterrent but the F16s etc.
I think you old people need to realize that times are changing and good manners should be limited to people deserving them and stop blaming youth for thinking beyond your understanding.
For once NS has got it right. All Pakistanis including Sartaj Aziz should support him.
@H Chaudhry: My my Chaudhry...it seems ur business with India is more important than Pakistan. Shame on you and all the people like you who are dying to be in India.
Modi comes in power with huge mandate just because role of anti Muslim and anti Pakistan.... That's why violations on loc increase.. Idiot Nawaz instead of crying for peace and good relations....took action against carrouption, terrorism, build good relation with pak army , Indian army and Indian intelligence already got permission from modi for proxy war in Pakistan.. Watch clip of modi speech 100 goly barsaoo Pakistan par.. Idiot Nawaz wake-up
Nice gesture --- so why was it necessary for Aziz to make a statement last week that it was up to India to make the first move? Sometimes I wonder if anybody is in charge.
He makes us look so bad with his constant dialog mantra. I'd good to be the bigger man and not fight all the time like India does but at one point he needs to realize India doesn't want dialog at all. So stop trying...
@Cynic Waheed You are the example of how dumbfounded our youth has become! A dialogue with India and economic relations with India is the only way forward for Pakistan. Try to understand marginal costs of doing business and think about mighty middle class living few 100 kilometers away. Offcourse, industrial military complex that wants Tanks, ships. F-16s will not like this. If you want petrol and electricity, try to solve problem instead of pointing fingers at ministers alone.
Have you Mr Sharif not caused enough damage to the integrity and security of the people who brought you in power. You are sending personal envoys abroad, in uniform or civies, who are neither competent nor trained to conduct diplomatic tasks. Leave it for the next leader what you have not and can not handle conflictd cases.
Rex Minor
Stop begging! Our entire nation is ashamed to have an incompitant PM like you. You have lost respect in everyones eyes! I'm glad Raheel took over some of things, otherwise we would be in big trouble!
@Cynic Waheed - I think you are more intelligent than Mr PM Pakistan. You better understand the condition of Pakistan and political situation in Indian sub-continent. Cheers!!!!!
I wanted to praise PM nawaj sharif, bcz he has wishdon or he wanted to do good for his country, I really appreciate him bcz he ignored the low level poltics of the opposition, my PM also ignored the low level remarks of opposition, this is quality of my PM bcz he has passion to wait right wait so I again congratulate PM nawaj shrift for his efforts bcz they both can do good for both countries or we both countries can rule in asia if they both PM make efforts and do work like intellectual and visionary leader
Mr.PM are you familiar with the word self-respect? Please stop begging and show some commitment in resolving the issues of your own people.
@Cynic Waheed: Dude, ur pm is sensible, the road to electricity, money, recognition is thru india - the soomer u reqlize the lesser wud be ur pain and suffering- and yes, forget the k word- not happening
For the love of God, Mr PM! Stop begging for dialogue! You have nothing to offer Modi - just shut up and stay put! Do away the wrongs of your ministers first! I want petrol and electricity in Pakistan - I can live without India's friendship for now!
Regards,