High Commissioner of Pakistan to India Abdul Basit said that Pakistan and India have ‘serious problems’ which need to be discussed at large.
Speaking on the increasing diplomatic hostilities between the two neighbouring countries on Thursday, Abdul Basit said, “There are serious problems between our two countries, we can’t shy away from those.” He also reiterated Pakistan’s desire for constructive talks and suggested that India must be ready for it as well. “Pakistan doesn’t wish to live in perpetual hostility. We are positive and constructive, but it takes two to tango,” he added.
He said that a decision must be taken regarding current relations between India and Pakistan saying, “Time has come to make up our mind whether we want the status quo or we want to make a new beginning in our ties.”
Hostilities between India and Pakistan have grown ever since 19 Indian Army soldiers were killed in the Uri attack in September. Relations soured further following Indian Army’s so-called ‘surgical strikes’ on terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC). Diplomatic relations were further hampered in October when defence-related documents were leaked to a Pakistan High Commission staffer, which exposed an espionage ring involving Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
