Need to resolve Kashmir issue to strengthen Indo-Pak ties: Pak envoy

Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit on Wednesday said that talks between India and Pakistan with 'sovereign equality' will help in bettering ties and added that resolving the Jammu and Kashmir issue was also crucial to the issue.

"Pakistan has always made efforts for a better relation with India and we continue to do so. But this is only possible when we (India-Pakistan) talk with sovereign equality. We also have to solve the Jammu-Kashmir issue so that relation between the two nations is strengthened," Basit said while speaking at the 'Pakistan Day' function at its High Commission in the national capital.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted his counterpart from Islamabad Nawaz Sharif and asserted that India remains committed to resolving bilateral disputes through peaceful dialogue.

According to Dawn, Prime Minister Modi in his message reiterated India's desire to build good neighbourly relations with Pakistan.

The message comes as a development with both the nations taking steps to move ahead after the major seatback to bilateral ties caused by the Pathankot attack.