Goodwill diplomacy: India, Pakistan free jailed fishermen

It’s a humanitarian gesture that shows the possibilities of going beyond parochial posturing to creating lasting goodwill in both countries. A day after India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi called his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif and announced to release Pakistan’s fisherman lodged in Indian jails, Islamabad promptly reciprocated, releasing 113 Indian fishermen serving in a jail in Karachi.

The released Indian fishermen will be taken to Lahore by Karakoram Express and will be handed over to the Indian authorities at the Wagah border on June 19.

Following their release, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) and the jail authorities presented the traditional gift of Ajrak (block printed shawls) to the fishermen.

Modi Calling: Easing tensions

Earlier, Daily Times, in an editorial entitled “Modi’s overture”, wrote that Mr Modi’s telephone call has “helped reduce the rising temperature in India-Pakistan relations due to aggressive rhetoric by both sides”.

It said that the Indian prime minister took a positive step to ease ongoing tensions that erupted after an exchange of barbs between the leaders of the two countries.

The editorial said that the two nations should refrain from making harsh comments, and that they should not be affected by the peace spoilers. The ties can only be improved by a positive approach and that should be the way forward, said the editorial.

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