New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan and said that India desired “peace and stability in a region free of terror”.
“Congratulations to HE Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror, so that we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people,” PM Modi tweeted.
Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as the 23rd premier of the country on Monday. Sharif, the Opposition’s joint candidate, was elected unopposed following the ouster of Imran Khan as the prime minister of Pakistan.
Shehbaz Sharif, brother of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, secured 174 votes — two more than the simple majority of 172, Geo News reported.
Addressing Parliament after his election, Shehbaz Sharif said he wanted good relations with India but it cannot be achieved without resolution of the Kashmir issue.
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“We want good ties with India but durable peace is not possible until the Kashmir dispute is resolved,” PTI quoted Sharif as saying.
He attacked Imran Khan for not making “serious and diplomatic efforts” when India abrogated the Article 370 in August 2019.
Shehbaz Sharif also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come forward to address the Kashmir issue so that the two countries could concentrate on tackling poverty, unemployment, shortage of medicines and other issues on the two sides of the border.
“I’ll advise PM Modi to understand that there is poverty on both sides. I call upon Modi to come and resolve the Jammu and Kashmir issue and then let’s fight poverty together,” he said.
The relation between India and Pakistan has been at its lowest point after New Delhi announced withdrawal of the special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of the state into two union territories in August 2019.
India has repeatedly told Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir “was, is and shall forever” remain an integral part of the country. India has told Pakistan that it desires normal relations with Pakistan in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence.