Pakistan envoy lauds PM for calling Imran Khan

New Delhi: Pakistan high commissioner Sohail Mahmood on Tuesday termed the recent phone call made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaaf (PTI) chief (and Pakistan PM-Designate) Imran Khan as a “positive development”, adding that “peaceful relations with all of Pakistan’s neighbours, including India, have been “accorded high priority in the foreign policy vision outlined by the incoming leadership” in his country. A statement issued by the Pakistan high commission (PHC) that referred to the comments made by Mr. Mahmood was distinctly conciliatory and contained no reference to the Kashmir issue much in contrast with the fiery and aggressive speech made on the same occasion two years ago in 2016 by his predecessor Abdul Basit.

Speaking on the occasion of a function to mark his country’s I-Day on Tuesday, Mr Mahmood said political and military tensions had prevented India and Pakistan from “realising their optimal potential in socio-economic development”, further adding that the next generations of both countries deserve a better future “marked by peace and opportunities for progress and prosperity.”

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