Nawaz Sharif Hails Jaishankar’s Visit as a New Start for Indo-Pak Relations
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has hailed the visit of India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, to Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conclave, describing it as a potential “new beginning” for strained India-Pakistan relations.
Sharif urged both nations to “bury the past” and work towards a peaceful and prosperous future, emphasizing the need for good neighborly relations.
Jaishankar’s Visit: A Sign of Progress?
Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan marks the first by an Indian foreign minister in nine years. Though no bilateral talks were held between the two countries, Sharif expressed optimism, suggesting that the visit could pave the way for future diplomatic engagement. “This is how things should go ahead,” Sharif commented, adding that while a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have been ideal, Jaishankar’s participation in the SCO event was still a positive step.
Calls for Peace and Dialogue
Sharif highlighted the importance of breaking the cycle of hostility between India and Pakistan, pointing out that the two nations have spent over 70 years in conflict. He urged both governments to engage in dialogue and explore ways to foster better relations, reiterating that neither country can change its geographical reality. “We should live like good neighbors,” he stressed, advocating for a fresh approach to the bilateral relationship.
Although the focus of Jaishankar’s visit was multilateral, Sharif’s comments reflect the hope among some sections of the Pakistani establishment that this could serve as an “ice-breaker” in long-standing tensions. He remains hopeful that future engagements will build on this visit and allow both countries to harness their full potential.
Sharif’s call for progress in Indo-Pak relations underscores the need for ongoing dialogue and cooperation, marking Jaishankar’s trip as a possible opening in improving the long-fractured ties between the two neighbors.
