The ‘diplomatic balla’, quite literally, was exchanged between Pakistan and India as Imran Khan (official) met with Indian High Commissioner, Ajay Bisaria in Banigala a day ago.
The two talked about the resumption of talks between India-Pakistan and Bisaria also gave a bat to Khan, which was signed by members of the Indian Cricket Team. Khan also expressed concerns over the human rights violations in India occupied #Kashmir. Another point of concern was the #Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) leaders’ conference, which Khan hoped would be held this year in Islamabad. This fresh wave of diplomatic relations comes following the call between Indian PM, Narendra Modi and Imran Khan. Modi called Khan to congratulate him on his big win in the #GeneralElections2018, and the two ended the phone call positive that things will improve between the two states.
This is positive news for one of the most-watched foreign policies following the elections in July.
Khan’s mentioned of Saarc, in particular, is an important step towards dialogue considering the conference has been a bone of contention on more than one occasion in the past. India withdrew from the conference in 2016, citing cross-border terrorism as the reason behind them not participating. An attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir that year was the reason behind the soured relations. In 2017 again, there was some shakiness to continue with the summit. So, fingers crossed. Here is hoping this diplomatic meetup is just the first in the long line of much-needed stabilization of the relationship between the two perpetually warring states.
