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India willing to sit with Pakistan: Jaishankar


Published : 31 Aug 2019 08:37 PM | Updated : 04 Sep 2020 12:23 AM

India has said it is willing to discuss outstanding issues with Pakistan at a bilateral level in an atmosphere free from terror and violence. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday made the remark during his meeting with European Union Commissioner Christos Stylianides in Brussels after the latter reiterated the EU’s stance that New India and Pakistan need to resume dialogue to tamp down tensions in Kashmir region.

The two leaders further shared their expectations for better governance and greater development in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, as well as their perspectives on the recent developments pertaining to the situation in Afghanistan and Iran. “A good meeting with EU Commissioner @StylianidesEU. Discussed our perspectives on Afghanistan and Iran. Spoke of our expectations for better governance and more development in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh,” Jaishankar tweeted.

He said “Underlined India’s openness to discuss other outstanding issues bilaterally with Pakistan in an atmosphere free of terror and violence.” Jaishankar’s remarks were on contrast to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s racheting up the war rhetoric against India in the last few weeks since New Delhi withdrew special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.

On August 19, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told US President Donald Trump during a telephonic conversation that “extreme rhetoric and incitement to anti-India violence” by certain leaders in the region was “not conducive to peace.” On Thursday, India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesman had condemned the “irresponsible remarks and tweets by Pakistani leaders on matters internal to India.”