Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday expressed his desire to hold peace talks with India to resolve all issues including Kashmir, terrorism, water and trade.
Sharif made this comment in Tehran, where he reached the second phase of his journey to four countries.
The Prime Minister reached the capital of Iran from the Turki, where President Masood Page Seshakian welcomed him to the Sadabad Palace. Sharif was awarded the Guard of Honor and interacted with President Pageshkian. Addressing a joint press conference with Piseshkian, Sharif said he was ready to interact with India for peace.
He said, “We want to resolve all controversies including Kashmir issue and water issues through dialogue and are also ready to negotiate with our neighbors on business and anti-terrorism issues.” He also warned that if India chose the path of war, it would be responded to.
He said, “But if they want to remain aggressive, we will protect our area … as we have done a few days ago.” “But if they accept my proposal of peace, we will show that we really want peace, seriously and honestly.” India has made it clear that it will only talk with Pakistan on the return of Pakistan -occupied Kashmir and the issue of terrorism.
Sharif also claimed that his country has come out “victorious” in a four -day war with India.
After the Pahalgam attack on 22 April, tension between India and Pakistan increased, in which 26 people lost their lives.
India carried out accurate attacks on the terrorist structure in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir on the morning of 7 May. After this, Pakistan tried to attack Indian military bases on 8, 9 and 10 May. The Indian side strongly responded to Pakistani actions. On May 10, the ground hostility ended with an understanding of stopping military operations after negotiations between the Director General of military operations of the two sides. Sharif praised Pageshkian for concern during the recent struggle between Pakistan and India. He also appreciated the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for visiting Pakistan during military growth and called him “excellent diplomat”.
Talking about bilateral relations with Iran, Sharif said that “a very productive and useful meeting was held … which included our mutual interests and all areas of cooperation.”
He said, “There was complete consensus on the fact that our two brotherhood and neighboring countries should increase business, investment, commerce and really cooperation in every field of life.”
He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Internal Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Tariq Fatami. Sherif and his delegation will also meet with Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Saiyid Ali Khamenei and will also discuss important regional issues as well as “bilateral issues.”
