Ahead of the SCO summit, former Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif expresses hope for improved Pakistan-India relations during an interview with Indian journalist Barkha Dutt. He highlights past efforts for cooperation and calls for future opportunities to mend diplomatic ties despite tensions over Kashmir.
LAHORE: On Monday, former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed optimism about the possibility of meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, advocating for strengthened ties between the neighboring countries.
During an interview with Indian journalist Barkha Dutt, Sharif shared his views ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad, where Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is expected to participate.
Sharif reiterated his long-standing support for improving relations with India, stating that it would have been ideal if Modi had also attended the SCO summit.
He expressed hope that they would have an opportunity for dialogue in the near future.
The relationship between Pakistan and India has been strained since 2019 when Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties after India revoked Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status.
Pakistan insists that normalizing relations depends on the restoration of this status.
Despite these ongoing tensions, both countries reaffirmed the 2003 ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in February 2021.
Sharif also highlighted previous diplomatic efforts during his tenure, noting visits from Indian leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999 and Narendra Modi in 2015.
In 2023, Sharif congratulated Modi on his re-election, emphasizing the importance of building goodwill.
Modi responded positively, acknowledging Sharif’s message and expressing India’s commitment to peace, security, and progress for the region.