Our Bureau
New Delhi
Days after the Ceasefire Agreement between India and Pakistan, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday has stated that they are willing to hold talks with India. He has also stated that Pakistan is willing to engage “for peace” but has added that there will be certain conditions for peace.
PM Sharif paid a visit to the Kamra air base in Pakistan’s Punjab province on Thursday. He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Army Chief General Asim Munir and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu. Sharif, while on the visit, said, “We are ready to talk with it (India) for peace.” But he added that the conditions for peace will involve talks with India on the Kashmir issue that has been going on since both countries declared independence.
The conflict regarding Kashmir has been a long ongoing matter between India and Pakistan which has also been the main reason behind the tense relationship of the two nations. India has stated that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh are and will always remain an integral part of its region.
India has also maintained its stance clear that the issue of Kashmir is a bilateral issue between the two countries and has refrained the United States of America or any other nation from intervening in it. India reaffirmed this stance in its 6-point rebuttal to US President Donald Trump’s claim of offering to mediate discussion between India and Pakistan on the ongoing Kashmir conflict.
Meanwhile in Pakistan, this was Shehbaz Sharif’s second visit to Kamra Air base since the air strikes done by India in Operation Sindoor. The Prime Minister also talked to the soldiers and military personnels who engaged with India during the times of conflict. A day before, Shehbaz had also visited Pasrur Cantonment in Sialkot where he interacted with soldiers as well.
Amidst the offers of talk from Pakistan, the Indian External Affairs minister, S. Jaishankar gave a statement on thursday that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is the only issue that remains to be discussed between both nations. He has also added how Pakistan needs to end its terrorist infrastructure.
Jaishankar said, “Pakistan has a list of terrorists that needs to be handed over and they have to shut down the terrorists’ infrastructure. They know what to do. We are prepared to discuss with them what is to be done about terrorism. Those are the talks which are feasible.”
