Floods bring Sharif, Modi closer

• Sharif wants ‘disaster management’ to be part of dialogue with India
• Pakistani PM thanks Indian counterpart for showing concern for flood relief, offers him assistance for victims
• Sharif, Modi meeting expected in New York on the sidelines of UNGA session

In the backdrop of heavy monsoon rains and floods, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday suggested his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to include “cooperation in disaster management” as a part of bilateral talks.

Sharif’s offer has come a day after the Indian prime minister offered assistance to Pakistan for the flood-hit people in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) where around 63 people have been killed.

Shortly after Modi’s aid offer, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry also offered aid to the Kashmiris affected by floods in Indian-occupied Kashmir while Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif thanked his Indian counterpart for offering aid and expressing sympathies over the losses.

“I gratefully acknowledge your letter of September 7, conveying deep sympathies for the people affected in Pakistan by unprecedented monsoon rains and consequent flooding. The offer for assistance in our relief efforts is equally thoughtful. Such solidarity in the face of adversity is indeed valuable,” Sharif said in reply to the Indian prime minister’s letter, the Foreign Ministry said.

Sharif Monday visited AJK and assured help to the government there.

“I was anguished to see the scale of human suffering and physical destruction as I toured affected areas of Kashmir the other day,” the prime minister said, adding that the Kashmiris on the other side of the Line of Control have also faced heavy loss of life and material damage.

The Pakistani premier told Modi that South Asia was one of the most disaster-prone regions of the world.

“As we chart a course to advance our common goals of peace and stability, we must also focus on addressing the deeper causes of recurrent floods and on strengthening the preparedness and resilience of our communities against natural calamities. I believe closer collaboration in disaster management should be a part of our agenda of peace and development in the region,” the premier said.

The expression of mutual concern has come after a sour episode last month when India cancelled high level talks with Pakistan over a meeting of Pakistani ambassador in New Delhi with Kashmiri leaders. Pakistan defended the meeting and said Kashmiri leaders were always consulted ahead of talks with India.

SHARIF, MODI MEETING EXPECTED IN NEW YORK:

In the backdrop of the cancelled meeting, Indian officials Monday hinted at a meeting between Sharif and Modi on the sidelines of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj saying that the government will respond according to the situation that develops.

Talking to journalists in New Delhi on 100 days’ work of her ministry, Sushma Swaraj said the government will not go to the UNGA session with a predetermined mindset concerning talks with Pakistan. The minister added that there were no full stops in diplomacy.

Responding to a question concerning cancellation of talks last month, Swaraj said that there was no flaw in India’s policy concerning Pakistan which had itself called Hurriyat leaders for the meeting.

Answering a query about ceasefire violations on the Line of Control, the minister said that the directors general military operations (DGMOs) of the two sides will talk when needed.

Answering another query, the minister said that the government will speak only with an elected government in Pakistan.