Narendra Modi Condemns Attack on Karachi Airport

Raveendran—AFP

Indian premier discusses bilateral trade, peaceful cooperation in response to his Pakistani counterpart’s June 2 letter.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded to a letter from his Pakistani counterpart, condemning the June 8 attack on Karachi’s airport.

“I … condemn in the strongest terms the terrorists attack in Karachi and convey my deepest condolences for the loss of innocent lives in this senseless and barbaric attack,” wrote Modi in response to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s June 2 missive.

The Indian premier said he was “particularly delighted and honored by your participation in the ceremony for the swearing in of the new government,” adding, “Your presence and that of other leaders from our region not only added a special sheen to the event, but also a celebration of the strength of democracy in our region.”

Modi’s letter also sounds optimistic about bilateral trade and regional cooperation. “A relationship between India and Pakistan defined by peace, friendship and cooperation would unleash enormous opportunities for our youth, secure a more prosperous future for our people and accelerate progress across our region,” it says. “I look forward therefore to working closely with you and your government in an atmosphere free from confrontation and violence in order to chart a new course in our bilateral relations.”

The Indian premier also thanked Sharif for gifting a sari for his mother, saying she had “deeply appreciated” the gesture.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader invited Sharif to his swearing in ceremony—a first in the history of Pak-Indo relations that has been hailed by activists as a positive sign of Modi’s progressive views toward foreign relations. The talks, largely a ceremonial affair, focused on expanding bilateral trade but avoided discussion of the Kashmir issue, which remains a major source of contention between Islamabad and New Delhi.