Islamabad: After nearly a decade of strained relations, Pakistan is seeking to normalize its ties with India amidst economic difficulties. Speaking at a Pakistan government-run think tank’s anniversary, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized Pakistan’s desire to move away from perpetual hostility.
“We want good-neighbourly relations with India on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect, and a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute,” Dar stated.
His remarks are seen as a potential opening for Islamabad-New Delhi dialogue under the leadership of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently assumed office for the third term. Dar stressed the importance of prioritizing cooperation over discord, asserting that both governments owe peace to South Asia.
Highlighting the region’s challenges, Dar pointed out deficiencies in human development indices, education, healthcare, food security, water scarcity, poverty, unemployment, natural disasters, environmental degradation, and climate change.
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However, Dar clarified that Pakistan would not bow to unilateral demands from India but remained open to comprehensive dialogue on all outstanding issues. He also underscored Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining strategic stability in South Asia and readiness to respond decisively to any provocative actions by India’s leadership influenced by Hindutva ideology.
Since the revocation of Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir in August 2019, bilateral relations between Pakistan and India have been severely strained, reaching a historic low point.
Despite the tensions, the leaders of both nations have exchanged well wishes upon assuming their respective offices.
