"No talks until terror stops": India rejects Pakistan's claims

New Delhi : Rejecting Pakistan's claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is willing to have a dialogue with the neighbouring nation to improve bilateral talks, MEA claimed that India’s response to Pakistan’s congratulatory messages was a diplomatic exercise.

“As per the established diplomatic practice, PM and EAM have responded to the congratulatory messages received from their counterparts in Pakistan. In their messages, they have highlighted that India seeks normal and cooperative relations with all neighbours, including Pakistan,” said Raveesh Kumar.

Pakistani media had been running reports, quoting diplomatic sources that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had expressed willingness to hold talks with the neighbouring country.

In his message, PM Modi had said, “It is important to build an environment of trust, free of terror, violence and hostility.”  EAM Jaishankar also emphasized the need for an ‘atmosphere free from the shadow of terror and violence’.

According to the Ministry of external affairs, the Indian response is as per established diplomatic practice and the India side highlighted that New Delhi “seeks normal and cooperative relations with all neighbours, including Pakistan.”