Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed readiness to engage in peace talks with India, saying that the country is ready to talk “for the sake of peace on water issues”.
He said that Pakistan wants to find solutions to “long-standing problems,” including Kashmir, water-sharing, trade, and terrorism. He made the remarks while addressing a joint press conference with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during his visit to Tehran.
“We are ready to talk, for the sake of peace on water issues with our neighbour.” He continued, “We are ready to talk to promote trade and also, counter-terrorism,” Sharif said as per a report in Pakistani media outlet Dawn.
“We wanted peace, we want peace and we will work for peace in the region through talks, on the table, and resolve our outstanding issues,” Sharif said, adding “If they accept my offer of peace, then we will show that we really want peace, seriously and sincerely.”
The Pak PM was in Iran on Monday, after concluding his Turkiye visit. After Iran, he is scheduled to visit Tajikistan and Azerbaijan.
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According to Iranian state media IRNA, President Masoud Pezeshkian has backed a durable ceasefire between India and Pakistan, stressing dialogue between both countries to resolve disputes and achieve peace.
India put the Indus Water Treaty into abeyance after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians.
Previously, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also reiterated that the Indus Water Treaty, which was signed in 1960, has been put on hold due to Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism. The Indus treaty governs the sharing of water resources from the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan.
In addition to this, the government announced a series of actions against Pakistan, oncluding an immediate ban on the direct or indirect import and transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, shut down of entry of Pakistani vessels at all Indian ports, closing airspace for all Pakistani flights, and closing the Integrated Check Post Attari with immediate effect, among others.
Previously, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that climate changes and demographic shifts have resulted in the creation of new realities on ground.
“Now, as per CCS decision that I referred to of 23rd April, India will keep the treaty in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably, abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. Please also note that climate change, demographic shifts and technological changes have created new realities on ground as well,” Jaiswal said.
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