AFP photo

ISLAMABAD/ NEW DELHI: Indian high commissioner Ajay Bisaria met the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan at his residence in Islamabad on Friday and congratulated the prime minister-in-waiting over his victory in the general elections last month. TOI had exclusively reported on Friday that Bisaria was going to call on Khan.

As reported by TOI, while Bisaria raised the issue of crossborder terrorism and infiltration, Khan spoke about the Kashmir issue and alleged human rights violations by Indian forces in the Valley. Bisaria tweeted that he had a positive and constructive discussion with Khan. Bisaria also gifted a cricket bat signed by the entire Indian cricket team to Khan.

Bisaria also felicitated Khan on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi . Khan called for early resumption of the Saarc process and appealed to India to attend the next summit which to be held in Islamabad. Bisaria and Khan discussed a wide range of issues and prospects of India-Pakistan relationships. According to PTI sources, the duo specifically focused on matters of mutual interest. Khan, sources added, stressed the need to restart a dialogue between the two countries on all outstanding issues, including Kashmir.

“India is confident that relations with Pakistan will take a turn for the positive,” Bisaria noted, adding that “the telephonic conversation between Modi and Khan has given birth to this new hope”. Since winning the polls, a range of dignitaries from different countries have met Imran Khan at his residence and congratulated him on his party’s electoral success.

Several heads of states and leaders wished him on his success on telephone. On July 30, the Indian PM had called Khan and cheered him on his victory. The most significant aspect of Modi’s conversation was his unambiguous willingness to improve ties with Pakistan.

“India desires progressive relations with Pakistan”, Modi was quoted as saying. Both countries, Modi said, should evolve a joint strategy to develop and strengthen better ties. In response, the cricketer-turned-politician said that both neighbours should move towards conflict resolution through dialogue.

“Wars can breed tragedies instead of facilitating resolution of conflicts,” Khan was quoted as telling Mr Modi. Appreciating Modi’s positive gesture, Khan said that both countries should invest in poverty reduction to pull millions living in subcontinent out of the poverty trap.



In Video: Indian envoy Ajay Bisaria meets Imran Khan, gifts him a bat