Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed Pakistan’s willingness to talk to India while addressing the Pakistan Minerals Summit in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Even though Sharif did not explicitly name India in his remarks, his reference was unmistakable. The Pakistani PM said that the two countries cannot be normal neighbours till they address serious issues through meaningful discussions.
#WATCH: Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif claims that his country is willing to talk to India provided that India is serious enough. He also warned that war is no more an option because Pakistan is a nuclear power. #ShebazSharif #Pakistan #India #nuclear pic.twitter.com/1R9Rt9geJj
— Statecraft (@statecraftdaily) August 1, 2023
Ready for Talks with India
Emphasising his willingness to collaborate with India, Sharif said, “Even with our neighbour, we are prepared to talk to them, provided that the neighbour is serious to talk serious matters on the table because war is no more an option.”
He said India “has to understand that we cannot become normal neighbours unless abnormalities are removed, unless our serious issues are understood and addressed through peaceful and meaningful discussions.”
Nuclear Power Only for Defence Purposes
Pakistan is a nuclear power, “not as an aggressor, but for our defence purposes.”
He said, “And God forbid if there is a nuclear flashpoint, who will live to tell what happened? So, war is not an option.”
Pakistan ready for talks if India willing to address "serious" issues: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif https://t.co/XtDDUunwnZ
— Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) August 2, 2023
Sharif highlighted that Pakistan had participated in three wars in the last 75 years, resulting in more poverty and a lack of resources. He said the resources used during the wars could have been better spent on the development and prosperity of the people.
Earlier Proposals for Talks
This is not the first instance wherein Sharif has extended an offer of talks with India. He made a similar proposal during an interview with the AlArabiya news channel in January.
He said Pakistan wanted “serious and sincere talks” with India and mentioned that he had asked the UAE’s president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, to use his ties to bring both sides to the table.
However, his offer was based on the condition that the two countries resolve their “burning issues like Kashmir.”
India a Darling of the West?
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, took a dig at India and called it “a darling of the West.”
Speaking at the Pakistan Government Forum 2023 on Tuesday, Khar said India is very belligerent to the countries within its region. and has been open towards “certain countries” only.
The minister commented that India is very close-minded to some of its people and certain countries within the region.
Pak deputy Foreign Minister @HinaRKhar calls India "Darling of the West" which, "has decided to be the darling of the West, while at the same time being very, very belligerent within the east." pic.twitter.com/f8M1A9845o
— Abhishek Jha (@abhishekjha157) August 1, 2023
India-Pak Ties
India and Pakistan have shared tumultuous ties since both countries gained independence in 1947.
Recent years have seen a historic low in engagement, especially after New Delhi revoked Article 370 in Kashmir in 2019 and scrapped the special autonomy granted to the state (now a Union Territory) of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan’s closeness to China has further worsened the impasse.
The Pakistani PM’s statement comes as he is set to step down from office before completing his tenure this month.