NEW DELHI: While there was no confirmation of any meeting between the foreign ministers and India on Tuesday at the Heart of Asia conference in Dushanbe, Pakistan P.M Imran khan He wrote to his counterpart Narendra Modi stressing the primacy of the Kashmir issue for Pakistan and calling for the creation of an environment conducive to “results-oriented dialogue” with India.
The letter dated March 29 was in response to Modi’s letter to Khan on Pakistan National Day (March 23) in which, while conveying his greetings, Modi had said that for India and Pakistan to have cordial relations “a environment of trust, without terror and hostility it’s imperative “.
Significantly, diplomatic sources confirmed that a Pakistani cabinet committee is likely to accept a proposal on Wednesday to reopen trade with India by allowing cotton imports from India. Pakistan had closed all trade with India after the government revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status on August 5, 2019. If approved, the reopening of trade will be a major step forward, after last month’s ceasefire. , in efforts to impart at least a semblance of normalcy to ties.
While Khan only reiterated Pakistan’s position on ties with India, the fact that he chose to respond is significant, as a similar letter from Modi on Pakistan’s Independence Day last year had not received a response. Also in that letter, the sources said, Modi had clearly stated that it was important to create an environment free from terror and violence if Pakistan was to take cordial relations with India seriously. Before Modi wrote to Khan on March 23, he had also wished Khan a speedy recovery from Covid-19.
“We are convinced that lasting peace and stability in South Asia depends on the resolution of all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan, in particular the Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” Khan said in his letter, adding that the Creating an enabling environment is imperative for a “constructive and results-oriented dialogue”.
Despite the progress of the ceasefire last month that for now at least ended the LoC hostilities, the 2 countries still seem to move in circles when it comes to any substantive bilateral engagement. While he did not completely rule out a meeting in Dushanbe, where it was known well in advance that they would meet face to face, both countries were reluctant to propose a meeting between Foreign Ministers S Jaishankar and his counterpart SM Qureshi.
India has continued to argue that Pakistan must stop facilitating cross-border terrorism if it wants good neighborly relations. Islamabad, however, is seeking concessions from India on the Jammu and Kashmir issue, without really specifying how, in order to advance ties with India.
Pakistan’s concerns appear to be related to alleged demographic changes in the Valley. While Interior Minister Amit Shah has said in Parliament that the Center will ensure full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir at an “appropriate time”, it is unlikely that the NDA government will agree to restore the special status of the NDA. enjoyed by the old state.
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