New Delhi, Apr. 17: Looking for “peaceable and cooperative” ties with India, Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s new Prime Minister, has written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying this may be achieved by way of “significant dialogue”.

The Sunday Specific has learnt that in a letter acquired Saturday, Sharif additionally mentioned Pakistan stays dedicated to “regional peace and safety”.

According to the Indian Media, Sharif, youthful brother of former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has replied to a letter which Indian Prime Minister Modi wrote a few days in the past, shortly after they exchanged messages on Twitter. In his letter, Modi had referred to as for “constructive engagement”.

In New Delhi, officers learn the Pakistani response as “constructive”.

Ties between the 2 international locations plummeted after the Balakot air strikes following the Pulwama terror assault in February 2019 and the top of J&Ok’s particular standing underneath Article 370 in August that 12 months. The 2 international locations have downsized Excessive Commissions and there are not any full-time Excessive Commissioners in one another’s Capital.

On April 11, hours after Shehbaz Sharif requested him to come back ahead to handle the Kashmir subject in order that the 2 international locations might consider tackling poverty and unemployment, Modi congratulated him on his election as Prime Minister and mentioned India desired peace and stability in a area freed from terrorism.

“Congratulations to H. E. Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election because the Prime Minister of Pakistan. India wishes peace and stability in a area freed from terror, in order that we will give attention to our improvement challenges and make sure the well-being and prosperity of our individuals,” Modi mentioned in a Twitter submit.

Responding to this, Shehbaz tweeted: “Pakistan wishes peaceable & cooperative ties with India.

Peaceable settlement of excellent disputes together with Jammu & Kashmir is indispensable. Pakistan’s sacrifices in combating terrorism are well-known. Let’s safe peace and give attention to socio-economic improvement of our individuals.”

Modi’s congratulatory tweet was much like the letter he despatched to Imran Khan in August 2018 when he grew to become Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Congratulating Khan on his assumption of cost, Modi had expressed the hope that the graceful transition of presidency in Pakistan would strengthen and cement the individuals’s perception in democracy. He recalled their phone dialog by which they spoke of their shared imaginative and prescient to convey peace, safety and prosperity within the subcontinent to make it “freed from terror and violence”, and to give attention to improvement. That they had spoken in July 2018, days after it grew to become clear that Khan seemed set to be Prime Minister.

With Shehbaz Sharif taking cost, New Delhi is watching developments in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore with “cautious optimism” for a headway in bilateral ties.

High sources mentioned the change in regime might supply a “diplomatic opening”. In response to sources within the strategic institution, the implications could also be far-reaching.

Rising from the shadow of his elder brother Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz, the PML-N president, is understood to be near the Pakistan Military — he was Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province. The Sharif household has been an advocate of higher ties with India.

Officers identified that the core issues of the 2 international locations stay the identical, and Shehbaz is effectively positioned to renew the bilateral dialog.

Higher commerce ties with India might present the much-needed enhance to Pakistan’s financial system. Recognized to be centered on infrastructure tasks — building of roads, bridges and flyovers and transport tasks in Pakistan Punjab — Shehbaz is eager to ship earlier than the subsequent Pakistan elections in 2023.