Pakistan does not wish to live in perpetual hostility with India: Abdul Basit

New Delhi: While reiterating that Pakistan does not wish to live in perpetual hostility with India, Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit on Thursday said that two sides need to come together to make a new beginning in the bilateral ties.

Speaking on the increasing diplomatic hostilities between the two neighbouring countries, Basit said, “There are serious problems between our two countries, we can’t shy away from those.” 

The Pakistani diplomat also reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire for constructive talks and suggested that India must be ready for it as well. 

“Pakistan doesn’t wish to live in perpetual hostility. We are positive and constructive, but it takes two to tango,” Basit said.

Basit added that a decision must be taken regarding current relations between India and Pakistan saying,” Time has come to make up our mind whether we want status quo or we want to make a new beginning in our ties.”

Hostilities between India and Pakistan have grown ever since 19 Indian Army soldiers were killed in the Uri attacks in September. Relations soured further following Indian Army’s surgical strikes on terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC). 

Diplomatic relations were further hampered in October when defence-related documents were leaked to a Pakistan High Commission staffer which exposed an espionage ring involving Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).