Nawaz Sharif Hopes for Meeting with Indian PM Modi

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed optimism about meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the near future, while advocating for improved relations between the two neighboring countries. Speaking in an interview with Indian journalist Barkha Dutt ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad, Nawaz reiterated his long-held stance on fostering better ties with India.

“I have always been a supporter of good relations with India,” Nawaz said, emphasizing the importance of reviving dialogue between the two nations. He also expressed regret that Prime Minister Modi would not be attending the SCO summit but remained hopeful for a future meeting. “It would have been great if PM [Narendra] Modi had also attended the SCO summit. I do hope that he and us will have an opportunity to sit together in the not-so-distant future.”

The former prime minister’s remarks come amid a prolonged freeze in diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan, particularly since 2019 when Pakistan downgraded its diplomatic ties following India’s revocation of Article 370, which granted special status to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Islamabad has conditioned the normalization of relations with India on the restoration of this special status.

Despite the strained relations, both nations have shown signs of cooperation. In February 2021, they renewed the 2003 ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC). Nawaz Sharif, during his previous tenures, made efforts to improve ties, including hosting Indian Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999 and Narendra Modi in 2015.

In 2023, Nawaz again called for better relations with India and Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for peaceful coexistence. Following Modi’s re-election for a third term, Nawaz congratulated him on his victory, noting that it reflected the confidence of the Indian people in his leadership. “Let us replace hate with hope and seize the opportunity to shape the destiny of the two billion people of South Asia,” Nawaz urged.

Modi responded positively, appreciating Nawaz’s message and reaffirming India’s commitment to peace and security, saying, “The people of India have always stood for peace, security, and progressive ideas.” Both leaders highlighted the potential for dialogue to improve the well-being of the region’s people.