ISLAMABAD: Indian High Commissioner Ajay Basariya congratulated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on winning the general elections during a meeting at the latter’s Bani Gala residence in Islamabad on Friday.
Basariya also felicitated the prime minister-designate on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed matters of mutual interest.
The premier-in-waiting stressed the need to restart dialogue between the two countries on all outstanding issues including Kashmir. He expressed concerns over the human rights violations in the held valley.
Khan also expressed hope of Indian participation in the upcoming SAARC Summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad soon.
The Indian high commissioner said that after Prime Minister Modi’s telephone call to Imran, there was a new optimism in India that relations would move forward in the right direction. Indian HC Basariya also presented a cricket bat, signed by the Indian team to the former Pakistani legend.
The Indian premier, during a telephone call on July 30, felicitated Imran on his election victory. The most significant aspect of the conversation was Modi’s unambiguous willingness to improve his country’s ties with Pakistan. “India desires progressive relations with Pakistan”, the Indian PM was quoted as saying.
Both countries, Modi said, should evolve a joint strategy to develop and strengthen better ties.
In response, Imran Khan said that both neighbours should move towards conflict resolution through dialogue. “Wars can breed tragedies instead of facilitating resolution of conflicts”, Khan was quoted as telling the Indian Prime Minister.
Appreciating the Indian Prime Minister’s positive gesture, Khan said that both countries should invest in poverty reduction, pulling millions out of the poverty trap.