Pak welcomes Narendra Modi`s statement on improving ties with foreign nations

Zee Media Bureau/Ritesh K Srivastava

New Delhi: Pakistan on Wednesday welcomed BJP`s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi`s remarks regarding ties with foreign countries and asserted that it was looking forward to a stable government here to engage "quickly, comprehensively and meaningfully". Making a strong pitch for resumption of dialogue process, Pakistan High Commissioner Abul Basit said talks were the only way to resolve outstanding issues and no one nation does any "favour" by talking, indicating that cancellation of talks by New Delhi was not good for both nations. Interacting with women journalists here, Basit also said his government was committed to change the bilateral narrative of conflict into one by cooperation and mutual trust. Pakistan High Commissioner also welcomed Modi`s criticism of his party colleague who had said that those who are opposed to the Gujarat Chief Minister should be sent to Pakistan. Addressing a press conference, Basit said that he felt "encouraged" by the statements of the BJP strongman on television. Basit made this remark when he was asked how he felt about the statements made by BJP leader Giriraj Singh, who said that all those who were opposed to Modi must leave the country and go to Pakistan. Modi had also taken to micro-blogging site Twitter to denounce the statement, saying that the "so-called BJP`s well wishers" were "deviating" the party`s campaign. Modi later told a TV channel later on that nobody could support Giriraj`s remark. Basit stressed that Pakistan was looking forward to enhance its relationship with India under the new government. "Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has asked me to explore new possibilities in Indo-Pak ties. “Diplomacy and wars have both failed between India and Pakistan. We are said that in 67 years, we have added to, and not resolved, our issues," Basit said. He added, "We are looking forward to work with the new government in India. Pakistan desires a stable government in India with which we can engage."