ISLAMABAD: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said to Prime Minister Imran Khan that “as a neighbouring country, India desires cordial relations with the people of Pakistan”.
The above was said in Modi’s Pakistan Day message to the premier, wherein he extended his greetings to the people of Pakistan who celebrated the anniversary of the Lahore Resolution across the country.
The message was conveyed to PM Imran by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad through the Foreign Office (FO).
“For this, an environment of trust, devoid of terror and hostility, is imperative,” Modi said in the message. He also sent his wishes to the prime minister and the people of Pakistan, who were facing a “difficult time for humanity” due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration,” the message concluded.
Modi’s comments come days after Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, speaking during the Islamabad Security Dialogue, said that lasting peace in the sub-continent will remain elusive until the resolution of the Kashmir issue, stressing that it was time for Pakistan and India to “bury the past and move forward”.
The army chief had noted that stable Indo-Pak relations were the key to unlocking the potential of South and Central Asia by ensuring connectivity between East and West Asia.
But this potential has always remained hostage to the disputes and issues between the two “nuclear neighbours”, he said.
“The Kashmir issue is obviously at the heart of this. It is important to understand that without the resolution of Kashmir dispute through peaceful means, [the] process of sub-continental rapprochement will always remain susceptible to derailment due to politically motivated bellicosity.”
“We feel it is time to bury the past and move forward,” he said, adding that the onus for meaningful dialogue rested with India. “Our neighbour will have to create a conducive environment, particularly in occupied Kashmir.”
It is worth mentioning here that recently Bloomberg reported that the government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) was facilitating the development of a four-step “roadmap for peace” between Pakistan and India. The report cited the surprise joint statement by directors general of military operations (DGMOs) of Pakistan and India on February 25, that agreed to end Line of Control (LoC) ceasefire violations (CFVs) as the outcome of the talks brokered by the Emirati government months earlier. The report also stated that progress on the Pakistan-India “peace” process had been discussed during Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed’s meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during the former’s visit to New Delhi on February 26.
Separately, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Tuesday congratulated Prime Minister Imran on Pakistan Day.
In his congratulatory message, Keqiang said that the favourable development trend of the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership has been maintained.
The construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has yielded significant results and the CPEC has now entered a new phase of high-quality development.
“I look forward to working with Prime Minister Imran Khan to strengthening cooperation between the two countries in various fields so that both countries and people can benefit from it,” he added.
Furthermore, United States President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday congratulated President Arif Alvi on the 81st Pakistan Day, wherein the latter promised to further strengthen the partnership with Pakistan.
“Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, sent the congratulatory message on the occasion of a national holiday – the Pakistan Day to H.E. Dr A. Alvi, President of Pakistan, and H.E. Mr Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan,” Russian Embassy in Pakistan said Monday on Twitter.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, “Russia and Pakistan maintain friendly relations, a regular political dialogue and interaction at international organisations. We send greetings to our Pakistani friends.”
US President Joe Biden, in his message, expressed his resolve to strengthen partnership with Pakistan in future.
“We will continue cooperation for the establishment of peace in Afghanistan and meet common challenges including that of coronavirus and climate change,” said Biden in a letter to President Alvi sent on Pakistan Day.
Biden said that the Pakistan-US partnership is based on the common goal of regional peace and prosperity.
Pakistan is observing the 81st Pakistan Day across the country with great national spirit and enthusiasm amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The day dawned with gun salutes and special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, the liberation of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and eradication of Covid-19.
Pakistan Day is held to commemorate the historic ‘Lahore Resolution’ passed on March 23, 1940, that eventually led to the creation of Pakistan within seven years of its adaptation on August 14, 1947.
Earlier, COAS Bajwa and US Defence Minister Lloyd J Austin held a telephonic conversation on Monday.
The US defence minister had underscored Washington’s commitment to forging better relations with Islamabad. Austin also thanked the army chief for Pakistan’s continued support for establishing peace in Afghanistan.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also sent similar messages to President Alvi, as well as to PM Imran on the occasion.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Rouhani sent separate messages to the Pakistani president and prime minister to congratulate them on the advent of Pakistan Day.
In separate messages, the Iranian president congratulated President Alvi and PM Imran on the occasion of Pakistan National Day and expressed hope that the joint efforts of the two countries’ officials would lead to significant steps to improve bilateral relations in all dimensions.
“I hope that we will witness the development and deepening of the relations between the two great nations of Iran and Pakistan in all fields of mutual interest, considering the vast capabilities and rich cultural and civilisational commonalities of the two brother and Muslim countries,” Rouhani wrote.
In his message to the prime minister, Rouhani expressed his hope for the growing prosperity of relations between the two neighbouring countries at all levels to protect the interests of the two nations. He also wished for the health and success of the president and prime minister of Pakistan and the well-being of the honourable people of the Islamic Republic.
