While India celebrates its 66th Republic Day with a high-profile official visit by US President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wrote a letter of felicitation for his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi expressing his desire to forge “friendly and cooperative” relations between the two neighbouring countries.
Felicitating Modi and the Indian nation on their 66th Republic Day on behalf of the Pakistani people, Prime Minister Sharif wrote, “It is our sincere wish to forge relations between our two countries.”
Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to developing friendly relations with India on the basis of sovereign equality, respect and common interests, the premier said that Pakistan believes that both countries can work together for the well being of people of countries, development and attainment of common goal of peaceful and prosperous region.
“I avail myself of this opportunity to you, and for the happiness and prosperity of the people of India,” Sharif wrote.
The year kicked off with an escalation in deadly border violations, with two soldiers being killed in cross-border firing with Indian border guards near the Sialkot working boundary on January 1, spurring a ‘strong’ protest from Islamabad.
Islamabad has blamed New Delhi for ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary in a bid to distract its security forces from the ongoing fight against terrorism.
A constant blame game and trust-deficit has prevented the two nuclear neighbours from normalising bilateral ties despite a promising start last year when Prime Minister Sharif attended the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi.
Furthermore, India abruptly cancelled high-level talks with Pakistan last year after the Pakistani high commissioner was seen meeting Hurriyat leaders in India.
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Never mind his seat in a back bench, he raises hands …
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