Pakistan: Talks only in terror-free conditions: India to Pakistan | India News

NEW DELHI: Following Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s latest peace overture, the government Thursday asked Islamabad to first create conditions conducive for dialogue in the form of an atmosphere free of terror, saying India desired normal relations with all its neighbours, including Pakistan.

“We have seen reports regarding comments by the Pakistan Prime Minister on this issue. India’s clear and consistent position on this is well known,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.
“We desire normal neighbourly relations with all our neighbours including Pakistan. For this an environment free of terror and hostility is imperative,” he added.

In his remarks earlier this week, Sharif had offered to hold talks with India to address all serious and outstanding issues saying that “war is not an option” for both countries. “We are prepared to talk with everyone, even with our neighbour, provided that the neighbour is serious to talk serious matters on the table because war is no more an option,” he said.
Bilateral relations with Pakistan have remained downgraded since India’s decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 and the subsequent recall of the Pakistani high commissioner by Islamabad.
To a question on the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Bagchi said India has been opposing the project as it goes through Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir. Asked about Pakistan planning to mount anti-India rhetoric in view of the fourth anniversary of revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, Bagchi said Islamabad’s propaganda had not been working.