New Delhi: In the backdrop of recent terror attacks in Karachi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif that he looks forward to improving bilateral ties in violence-free atmosphere.
Modi, in a letter to Sharif, also condemned “in strongest terms†the terror attacks at the Karachi international airport on Sunday night in which in which 23 people were killed, including 10 militants.
Modi’s letter is a reply to Sharif’s letter of June 2 in which he expressed satisfaction over his meeting with the Indian PM and said he was looking forward to working in “harmony on all unsettled mattersâ€.
In the letter, which was delivered to the PMO over the weekend, Sharif said the future of the poor was integrated with “our common economic destinyâ€.
Responding to Sharif’s letter, Modi said that, “a relationship between India and Pakistan defined by peace, friendship and cooperation would unleash enormous opportunities for our youth, secure a more prosperous future for our people and accelerate progress across our region.”
Modi said he was encouraged by discussions with Sharif during his visit to Delhi on bilateral relations and the convergence on views. “I look forward therefore to working closely with you and your Government in an atmosphere free from confrontation and violence in order to chart a new course in our bilateral relations,” he said according to text of the letter released by Pakistan today.
He also thanked Sharif for attending the oath-taking ceremony.
“Your presence and that of other leaders from our region not only added a special sheen to the event, but also a celebration of the strength of democracy in our region and a reflection of our collective hopes and shared destinies,” he wrote.
He thanked for the letter which Sharif wrote and also for the gift of sari that Sharif send for his mother, saying it is “a gesture that she has deeply appreciated”.
The letter comes at the backdrop of heavy shelling on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.  India on Friday reminded Pakistan that maintenance of peace and tranquillity on the border is a “pre-condition†for having a normal relationship between the two countries.
Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh said it has been India’s endeavour to establish peaceful and friendly relations with all neighbours, including Pakistan.
“On firing, I will like to reiterate that peace and tranquility on the border is of the highest importance in establishing the pre-condition for such peaceful and normal relationship,†she told reporters.
“Maintenance of peace and tranquility on LoC is one of the most important CBMs between India and Pakistan. That remains and will remain the case,†she said.
Here’s the full text of the letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif:
Dear Mian Sahib,
I thank you for your letter of 2, June, 2014 and the positive sentiments that you have expressed about your visit to India last month.
I was particularly delighted and honoured by your participation in the ceremony for the swearing in of the new government. Your presence and that of other leaders from our region not only added a special sheen to the event, but also a celebration of the strength of democracy in our region and a reflection of our collective hopes and shared destinies.
I was also encouraged by our discussions on our bilateral relations and the convergence in our views, especially on the fact that a relationship between India and Pakistan defined by peace, friendship and cooperation would unleash enormous opportunities for our youth, secure a more prosperous future for our people and accelerate progress across our region. I look forward therefore to working closely with you and your Government in an atmosphere free from confrontation and violence in order to chart a new course in our bilateral relations.
I also take this opportunity to condemn in the strongest terms the terrorists attack in Karachi and convey my deepest condolences for the loss of innocent lives in this senseless and barbaric attack.
I thank you once again for the sari that you sent for my mother, a gesture that she has deeply appreciated.
With warm Regards,
Yours sincerely
(Narendra Modi)