File photo of Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit
As India and Pakistan spar with each other ceasefire violations across the International Border and Line of Control (LoC), a top Pakistani diplomat has said that their country is committed to improving ties with their neighbor, provided both sides have the political will.
Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit said, "We hope relations between the two countries will improve and if both sides have the will, then there is no reason our issues such as poverty, illiteracy and disease cannot be resolved." Mr Basit had come to meet the Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid in Delhi on the occasion of Eid.
Earlier, Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had said, "We remain committed to steps that ensure peace and tranquility. But any unprovoked firing from Pakistan would be met with an equal and effective response."
On July 16, India had lodged a strong protest with Pakistan's envoy in New Delhi over repeated ceasefire violations along the border in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has also summoned the Indian envoy after saying it shot down an Indian "spy" drone on Wednesday, a claim that has been denied by New Delhi.
Last week, a long chill between the two countries was thawed in Ufa, Russia, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif met on the sidelines of a regional summit.
As part of a series of "breakthrough" announcements after the meeting, the two countries decided to arrange meetings of senior military officers to reduce tension along the border.