In a significant development in the fraught Pakistan-India relationship, leaders of the two countries exchanged messages on the eve of Pakistan Day.
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday evening said he had received a message from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which the latter extended “greetings & best wishes to the people of Pakistan on the National Day of Pakistan”.
“It is time that [the people] of the sub-continent work together for a democratic, peaceful, progressive & prosperous region, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence,” Modi said in the message, according to a tweet by Prime Minister Khan.
This is the first overture by India since the February 14 Pulwama attack, following which the nuclear-armed neighbours came to the brink of war.
In a subsequent tweet, Khan welcomed his Indian counterpart’s message, saying it was now time to begin a “comprehensive dialogue” with India to resolve all bilateral issues.
“As we celebrate Pakistan Day I believe it is time to begin a comprehensive dialogue with India to address & resolve all issues, [especially] the central issue of Kashmir, & forge a new relationship based on peace & prosperity for all our people,” the premier wrote.
