Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar have "responded positively" to Pakistan's offer for talks to resolve reconcilable problems between the two countries.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a letter written to felicitate Modi on assuming office for a second term, had renewed Pakistan's offer to hold dialogue with India to resolve contentious issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and terrorism, to restore peace in the region, and address the problems confronting the people of the two countries.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had also written a letter to the newly appointed Jaishankar and congratulated him on assuming office.
According to the Foreign Office source, the letters were received by Pakistan through diplomatic channels on Tuesday.
According to a statement by the Indian External Affairs Ministry, Modi said "it is important to build an environment of trust, free of terror, violence and hostility". Minister Jaishankar also emphasised the need for an "atmosphere free from the shadow of terror and violence".
The sentiments from Pakistan "were also appreciated in the letters", said the Foreign Office source.
