New Delhi: Extending greetings on the occasion of Pakistan Day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan saying India desires “cordial relations” with its neighbour in an environment “devoid of terror”.
In his letter dated March 22, Modi extended greetings to the people of Pakistan on the occasion of Pakistan Day. “As a neighbouring country, India desires cordial relations with the people of Pakistan. For this, an environment of trust, devoid of terror and hostility, is imperative,” wrote Modi.
Pakistan celebrates March 23 as a national holiday to mark the adoption of its first constitution in 1956 and the passage of the Lahore resolution in 1940.
Modi also offered best wishes to Khan and the people of Pakistan on dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which he described as a “difficult time for humanity”.
Indian officials downplayed the significance of the letter, pointing out the exchange of pleasantries on national days is a routine affair.
There has, however, definitely been a thawing in the tense relations between the two countries, especially after India and Pakistan agreed last month to strictly adhere to the ceasefire agreement on the Line of Control.
Last weekend, Modi had also wished Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan a “speedy recovery” from his COVID-19 infection.
Earlier, Pakistan army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa had said that it was “time to bury the past and move forward”. He did added that India should take conciliatory steps in Kashmir create a “conducive environment”, but did not repeat the Pakistani position that the changes to Indian constitution regarding Article 370 will have to be completely rolled back.