PM Modi writes letter to Nawaz Sharif, seeks `new course` for India-Pakistan ties

In the backdrop of recent terror attacks in Karachi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif that he looks forward to working with him in violence-free atmosphere.

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: In the backdrop of recent terror attacks in Karachi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday told his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif that he looks forward to working with him in violence-free atmosphere. The PM, in a letter to Sharif, also condemned “in strongest terms” the terror attacks at the Karachi international airport on Sunday night in which in which 23 people were killed, including 10 militants. Modi`s letter is a reply to Sharif`s letter of June 2 in which he expressed satisfaction over his meeting with the Indian PM recently and said he was looking forward to working with him in “harmony on all unsettled matters”. In the letter, which was delivered to the Prime Minister’s Office over the weekend, Sharif, who was among the leaders from the neighbouring countries who attended Modi’s swearing-in on May 26, said the future of the poor was integrated with “our common economic destiny”. Responding to Sharif`s letter, Modi has said that "a relationship between India and Pakistan defined by peace, friendship and cooperation would unleash enormous opportunities for our youth, secure a more prosperous future for our people and accelerate progress across our region." Modi said he was encouraged by discussions with Sharif during his visit to Delhi on bilateral relations and the convergence on views. "I look forward therefore to working closely with you and your Government in an atmosphere free from confrontation and violence in order to chart a new course in our bilateral relations," he said according to text of the letter released by Pakistan today. He also thanked Sharif for attending the oath-taking ceremony. "Your presence and that of other leaders from our region not only added a special sheen to the event, but also a celebration of the strength of democracy in our region and a reflection of our collective hopes and shared destinies," he wrote. He thanked for the letter which Sharif wrote and also for the gift of sari that Sharif send for his mother, saying it is "a gesture that she has deeply appreciated". A day after he was sworn in, Modi had held a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart on crucial bilateral issues including terror and speedy trial of Mumbai terror attack case in Pakistan. On Sunday night, an audacious terror attack was mounted at Karachi`s Jinnah International Airport. On Tuesday, seven more bodies were found trapped in the airport`s cold storage. The victims in an effort to escape the attack, hid in the storage. On Tuesday, the Airport Security Force (ASF) Academy`s camp near the airport came under attack from heavily-armed Taliban gunmen. However, no casualties were reported in the second attack.