Communist Party leader tells Indian PM Modi to start peace talks with Pakistan

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Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury urged Narendra Modi to initiate “diplomatic and political” talks with Pakistan to prevent further escalation of conflicts between the two nuclear rivals.

In an interview to Indian media on Saturday, Sitaram Yechury said India should initiate talks with Pakistan “so that some degree of understanding and agreement can be reached.”

“Understanding and agreement” are necessary to eliminate any threat of cross-border terrorism, he added.

Tensions between the two countries mounted earlier this week when Indian forces resorted to cross-border firing at the Line of Control – a move India termed as “surgical strike”.

Pakistan, however, rejected Indian claim of a “surgical strike” and said the firing was unprovoked.

The conflict between the two countries has escalated over protests in Indian occupied Kashmir which have resulted in deaths of hundreds of civilians and injuries to thousands in clashes with the Indian forces.