NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent a letter to PM Imran Khan, saying he desires cordial relations with Pakistan.
*Al Jazeera *reported that PM Modi wrote the letter to Imran Khan to extend greetings to the people of that country on the occasion of Pakistan Day.
It is pertinent to mention here that the letter appeared to be a rare overture of peace for the two rival nations.
Two senior officials at Pakistan’s foreign ministry confirmed the contents of the letter to The Associated Press news agency. They spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government policy.
“As a neighbouring country, India desires cordial relations with the people of Pakistan,” Modi wrote in the letter, but added: “For this, an environment of trust, devoid of terror and hostility, is imperative.”
Asad Umar, a senior Pakistani minister, in a post on Twitter welcomed Modi’s letter, calling it a “message of goodwill”.
The message from Modi follows a series of moves and statements signalling rapprochement. The two sides are currently holding talks on sharing Indus river water in New Delhi.
The development comes days after Khan expressed his desire for good relations with India but said the first step should be taken by India as his past peace overtures were not positively received.