Pakistan positive about future ties with India, says Abdul Basit

Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit has said that his country remains positive about the fact that ties with India will surmount the current crisis with maturity.

Echoing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's sentiments on Islamabad desiring a normal and cooperative relationship with New Delhi, Basit said both nations need to revive the spirit of cooperation forged after the January 2016 terror strike that took place in the Pathankot air force base.

Basit said Pakistan is committed to not allowing its territory to be used for violence anywhere in the world, including India. He said the ties were doing well despite a tardy pace when the killing of a militant in Kashmir set off a slide.

He admitted that bilateral ties are on a downswing since the elimination of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on JUly 8.

He told The Telegraph in an interview that,"The challenge for diplomats on both sides now is to retrieve that momentum.Living in Delhi and meeting people from all walks of life, I do find a desire for understanding and peace here, too. I hear voices here that urge us to come together rather than become hostages to rhetoric."

"I strongly believe Pakistan and India do not gain anything from creating hype. War is not a solution, war creates more problems, he added.

He insisted that dialogue is the only way forward for both nations.