Jammu and Kashmir BJP unit President Ravinder Raina on Sunday emphasised that for bilateral talks between India and Pakistan to be successful, both countries must take responsibility, adding the famous proverb ‘Taali dono haathon se bajti hai’ (It takes two to tango).
Raina’s statement comes after National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah expressed optimism about External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting.
Speaking to ANI, Raina said, “India has always befriended every nation across the country…’Taali dono haathon se bajti hai’, if India tries to befriend Pakistan would also have some responsibility. PM Modi, EAM S Jaishankar they have always tried. Hopefully, in the future, if Pakistan doesn’t repeat the mistakes it did then it will be good for them. India’s initiative consists of sincerity but the reply from the other side should also be positive…”
Jaishankar is set to visit Islamabad for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conclave on October 15 and 16. However, he has already clarified that he will not engage in discussions about India-Pakistan relations during his visit.
Raina noted that India has consistently shown sincerity in its initiatives, but Pakistan must also respond positively. He highlighted India’s history of maintaining good relations with all countries, citing examples such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit to Lahore and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Afghanistan.
“India has always befriended every nation across the country. Atal Bihari Vajpayee had taken a bus and gone to Lahore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had gone to Afghanistan. India has always kept a good relation with all nations,” Raina said
Abdullah on Saturday hoped that Jaishankar’s visit would lead to talks beyond the SCO, focusing on bringing peace between the two countries through friendship rather than hatred. He also criticized Israel’s attacks, emphasizing that war is not the solution and that dialogue is key to success.
“I am happy that S Jaishankar is going, Pakistan has invited him. I think he will hold talks beyond SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) on how to bring peace between these two countries – through friendship and not hatred,” the National Conference leader said.
“The situation which is there in West Asia – the way Israel is bombing Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Palestine. If we want to save the world, war is not the solution -it kills innocent. It’s a big thing that we get success through dialogue, I hope Pakistan will also talk about moving ahead,” he said.
The complex history between India and Pakistan has been marked by conflicts and despite efforts to improve relations, tensions remain.
