Modi to Khan: Create terror-free environment for talks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a telephonic conversation with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan during which he stressed on “creating trust and an environment free of violence and terrorism” for the bilateral relations to flourish.

When Khan called Modi to congratulate on his massive electoral victory, the Indian Prime Minister reminded his Pakistani counterpart the importance of building mutual trust and an environment free of violence and terrorism for fostering cooperation for peace, progress and prosperity in the region.

Reiterating the initiatives he took under the “neighbourhood first” policy, Modi appealed to Khan to fight poverty jointly, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement

Since the two leaders are yet to meet after the cricketer-turned-politician assumed the top office in Pakistan, diplomats from both sides are in touch informally to explore the possibility of having the first meeting between Modi and Khan at Bishkek on the sidelines of the summit meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at the Kyrgyz Republic next month.

If realised, such a meeting can set the stage for a thaw after the escalation of tension between India and Pakistan following the February 14 terror attack at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir and India's retaliatory air-strike on a terror camp inside Pakistan on February 26.

The subsequent dogfight between the Indian Air Force and Pakistan Air Force and capture of IAF pilot Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman further heightened border tension.

The comprehensive dialogue between the two neighbours remains suspended since the January 2013 beheading of an Indian soldier close to the disputed boundary in Jammu and Kashmir. A subsequent effort to resume the dialogue also came to nought following a terror attack on Pathankot Air Force base in January 2016.

On Sunday, Modi also spoke to Mohamed Nasheed, former President of Maldives and Madhav Nepal, former Prime Minister of Nepal and thanked the leaders. He emphasised on all round partnership building between India and Maldives, and strengthening the historical friendly relations between India and Nepal.