Amid border tensions, Nawaz sends mangoes to Modi

Reports say mangoes were delivered to Modi through official channels

In a bid to normalise escalating border tensions between the two neighbouring countries, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif sent a box of mangoes to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, The Hindustan Times reported.

“Mangoes were delivered to Modi through official channels even as Pakistan was accusing us of flying a drone into its airspace,’’ an official told Hindustan Times on the condition of anonymity.

Read: Five killed in Indian BSF firing near Sialkot: ISPR

The move comes amid renewed tensions along the Line of Control in Kashmir and the working boundary in Sialkot, as well as the intrusion of an Indian ‘spy’ drone into Pakistani territory.

Pakistan and India have constantly exchanged gunfire in the last week. Four people have been killed by the firing of Indian border security forces on civilian populations on the Pakistani side in recent days. Five more have been left injured by the unprovoked attacks.

Read: Mango diplomacy: Nawaz attempts to sweeten a relationship gone sour

Earlier it was reported the clashes have thrown the fate of crucial talks between the national security advisers of Pakistan and India in the doldrums with New Delhi reluctant to fix a date for the meeting.

During a recent meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in the Russian city of Ufa, the two leaders had agreed to a meeting of their security advisers in New Delhi to discuss issues related to terrorism.

Read: Escalating tensions: Fate of Indo-Pak peace talks hangs in the balance

While, Nawaz sent Modi mangoes, security forces on Wagah Border did not exchange sweets this year on Eid in a break from tradition.