Want ties but there should be atmosphere free from terror: India's first statement on Pak PM's comments
MEA said, "We have said that we have always wanted normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan. But there should be a conducive atmosphere in which there is no terror, hostility or violence. That remains our position."
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New Delhi, Jan 20: Days after Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif called for “serious and sincere talks” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on “burning issues like Kashmir”, India on Thursday said it always wanted normal neighbourly ties with Pakistan but there should be an atmosphere free from terror and violence for such a relationship.
The Ministry of External Affairs’ official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We have said that we have always wanted normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan. But there should be a conducive atmosphere in which there is no terror, hostility or violence. That remains our position."
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Speaking in an interview to Dubai-based Al Arabiya TV, Sharif had said that his country has learnt its lesson after three wars with India that “only brought more misery, poverty, and unemployment”, and wants peace with its neighbour. He also sought the intervention of UAE ruler Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to bring India and Pakistan together for talks.
However, showing its true colours, the Pakistan PMO office said that the India-Pakistan bilateral talks will only happens if restoration of Article 370 takes place in Jammu and Kashmir, which was abrogated in August 2019 by the Modi-led government.