NEW YORK – A major American newspaper has placed Prime Minister Imran Khanon what it called “a starting list” of world leaders who standout to winthis year’s Peace Prize, citing his leadership in de-escalating the recenttensions between India and Pakistan.

Besides the Pakistani leader, The Christian Science Monitor listed SouthKorean President Moon Jae-in for opening a door to a North Korea andseeking a peaceful engagement aimed at denuclearizing the Korean peninsula; Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for signing a peace pact with Eritreaand freeing political prisoners, and Venezuela’s opposition leader JuanGuaido, who became interim president with the support of the NationalAssembly to bring about peaceful change in the Latin American country.

“Perhaps the biggest surprise in peaceful leadership – and most critical tothe world – is Imran Khan,” the Monitor wrote. After a Feb. 14 suicideattack, killed 44 Indian security forces in disputed Kashmir, it said Indialaunched its first airstrike inside Pakistan since a 1971 war, pointing outthat the two nuclear-capable states were primed for all-out conflict.

“In a goodwill gesture that suddenly changed the mood, Mr. Khan returned anIndian fighter pilot shot down inside Pakistan. He also offered talks withIndia and promised to seize the assets of terrorists groups operating inPakistan.”

“Nobody wins in a war. Especially countries that have the sort of weaponsthat India and Pakistan possess should not even think of war…,” thenewspaper cited him as saying.

Of Imran Khan, the Monitor said, “He is the first prime minister not tocome from the traditional political establishment.””Which of these leaders deserve a Nobel?,” the newspaper posed a question.

“Events are still moving in each country and the Peace Prize will not beknown until October.

“For now, however, each deserves attention and support, especially fortheir conviction that peace is possible and natural,” the Monitor added.