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Shehbaz Sharif thanks PM Modi for felicitating him; says Pak desires ‘peaceful and cooperative’ ties with India

Link [2022-04-13 01:54:11]

Islamabad, April 12

Pakistan's newly-appointed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday thanked his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for felicitating him and said his country desires "peaceful and cooperative" ties with India.

Sharif, however, emphasised that peaceful settlement of outstanding disputes including Jammu and Kashmir is indispensable.

"Pakistan desires peaceful amp; cooperative ties with India. Peaceful settlement of outstanding disputes including Jammu amp; Kashmir is indispensable. Pakistan's sacrifices in fighting terrorism are well-known. Let's secure peace and focus on socio-economic development of our people," Sharif tweeted while replying to Modi's congratulatory message.

Thank you Premier Narendra Modi for felicitations. Pakistan desires peaceful amp; cooperative ties with India. Peaceful settlement of outstanding disputes including Jammu amp; Kashmir is indispensable. Pakistan's sacrifices in fighting terrorism are well-known. Let's secure peace and.. https://t.co/0M1wxhhvjV

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 12, 2022

Modi on Monday congratulated 70-year-old Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan and said India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror so that "we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people".

In his inaugural speech on Monday, Sharif had raised the issue of abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir and alleged that the people in the Valley were bleeding and Pakistan would provide them with "diplomatic and moral support" besides raising the matter at every international forum.

Sharif, who replaced Imran Khan after a high-voltage political tussle, said he wanted good relations with India, but it cannot be achieved without the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

Sharif, the younger brother of former three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, was sworn-in as the 23rd prime minister of Pakistan on Monday.