Khan bats for better ties, India fobs off spin

Making a strong pitch for peace with India, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan batted for improving relations with the estranged neighbour, saying all key stakeholders in Pakistan’s establishment are on the same page in seeking better relations with New Delhi. “I am telling you, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the ruling party, other political parties and (Pakistan’s) armed forces are on one page…We want to move ahead. We want a civilised relationship with India,” he said after laying the foundation stone for the historic Kartarpur Corridor, which links two of the holiest Sikh shrines on both sides of the border.

India is, however, not taken in by Khan’s rhapsody. Taking a reality check, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj asserted that the Kartarpur Corridor does not mean a revival of talks with Islamabad. The minister made it clear that India will not attend the SAARC summit in Pakistan and rules out any dialogue with Pakistan “until and unless” Pakistan stops sponsoring terror.

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