Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a message greeting to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on the eve of Pakistan’s National Day.
Imran Khan in a tweet, said PM Modi told him that it is time for people of the subcontinent to work together “for a peaceful and prosperous region, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence”. He welcomed PM Modi’s message and said the two countries “need to forge a new relationship based on peace and prosperity for all our people.”
Received msg from PM Modi: "I extend my greetings & best wishes to the people of Pakistan on the National Day of Pakistan. It is time that ppl of Sub-continent work together for a democratic, peaceful, progressive & prosperous region, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence"
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1109145018760085515
Khan believes that it was time to begin a comprehensive dialogue with India to address and resolve all issues.
Pakistan Day is celebrated to mark the Lahore Resolution on the 23rd of March every year.
The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, however organised events yesterday in which India did not send any representatives to the event as separatists from Jammu and Kashmir were also invited. However, none of the separatists from Kashmir attended the event this year as most of them either are in jail or under house arrest after a major crackdown last month.
In the past, India have always sent a minister to the Pakistan High Commission for the reception every year even though separatists were invited.
Why is this important?
The tensions between the India and Pakistan had risen after the Pulwama terror attacks last month, where 40 Central Reserve Police Force soldiers were killed. Pakistan based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility.
After the terror attacks, India carried out “non-military, pre-emptive” air strikes on Jaish camps in Pakistan’s Balakot. A day after the pre-emptive strikes, India and Pakistan were involved in a dog fight in the skies, resulting in capture of Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman after his MiG-21 Bison was shot down. He was returned to India after 60 hours in Pakistani captivity.
Since then India have mounted deep diplomatic pressure to isolate Pakistan.
(The Pigeon Express Opinion: Contradictory proposition
A gesture of peace is always welcomed. No nation in today’s times would want to go on a war, and the message exchanged are good signs to improving relations. However, if India wants to isolate Pakistan, was this customary messaging required?
Prime Minister Modi in a political attack through social media slammed Sam Pitroda for his comments, and for starting off celebrations for Pakistan National Day. If Mr. Modi itself was against Pakistan National Day, what changed in 12 hours that Modi greeted Khan? Why was this done through secretive channels, and what for was Modi being a twin faced messiah?
The prime minister is blatantly playing politics over Pakistan and Indian army.)