Close X
Monday, December 16, 2024
ADVT 
International

Navjot Singh Sidhu Talks Of Message From 'Friend' 2 Weeks After Pak Visit

IANS, 03 Sep, 2018 11:46 PM
  • Navjot Singh Sidhu Talks Of Message From 'Friend' 2 Weeks After Pak Visit
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu said on Sunday his belief that the India-Pakistan ties are set to improve strengthened after his return from Islamabad, as his "friend" Imran Khan has sent a message that he wants peace.
 
 
Unlike before, when an Indian prime minister's visit to Pakistan was responded with terrorist strikes, Mr Sidhu said his trip resulted in a message of peace.
 
 
After his return from Pakistan last month, Mr Sidhu said, there was controversy in India, but the new Pakistan prime minister said "they want peace".
 
 
Mr Sidhu visited Pakistan to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Mr Khan, a cricketer-turned-politician, on August 18.
 
 
During the visit, Mr Sidhu hugged Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, triggering a torrent of criticism from the BJP and also from within his Congress party, including Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.
 
 
Mr Sidhu on Sunday said, "I will tell you why my hope about the improvement in relations of both the countries got strengthen."
 
 
"Kargil War happened after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee returned from Pakistan. Pathankot attack happened after PM Narendra Modi returned from Pakistan, but when Sidhu returned from Pakistan and some 'nok-jhonk' (bickering) took place, the message from my friend came that 'we want peace... You take one step and we will take two'," Mr Sidhu said, referring to Mr Khan.
 
 
Responding to a question at 'Soch Se Soch Ki Ladai' event organised by Youth Congress in Ajmer city of Rajasthan, Mr Sidhu said sportsmen and artists break barrier and bring people closer.
 
 
The Punjab tourism minister said dialogue is the only way to improve ties with Pakistan.
 
 
"Hope is the biggest top (cannon), which conquers the impossible. My hope has strengthened after my friend became the prime minister of Pakistan after a struggle of years... I can say with full confidence that relations between both the nations would be enhanced," he said.
 
 
Referring to PM Modi's impromptu visit to Lahore in December 2015 to meet his then Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif, Sidhu said PM Modi visited there without any invitation, and that was because he understands "talks are the only way (forward)".
 
 
"Nothing except negativity was gained by blood shedding. Thousands of people lost their lives. So I would say positive - anything is better than nothing.
 
 
"Sportsmen or cricketers be it Wasim Akram, Sachin Tendulkar or Virat Kohli or artists like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan... They associate with people and I too went to Pakistan with this hope only," he said.

MORE International ARTICLES

Indian-Origin Doctor From New York Pleads Guilty To Insurance Theft

Indian-Origin Doctor From New York Pleads Guilty To Insurance Theft
An Indian-American doctor has pleaded guilty to stealing from insurance companies and faces a fine of $100,000, authorities said.

Indian-Origin Doctor From New York Pleads Guilty To Insurance Theft

Justin Trudeau Describes Cancelling US Visit Over Demands For NAFTA Sunset Clause

Justin Trudeau Describes Cancelling US Visit Over Demands For NAFTA Sunset Clause
Justin Trudeau says he abandoned a proposed meeting with Donald Trump in Washington this week after the White House insisted that the prime minister first agree to a five-year "sunset clause" in a renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement.

Justin Trudeau Describes Cancelling US Visit Over Demands For NAFTA Sunset Clause

Man Charged In Edmonton Robbery Faces Extradition To U.S. On Terrorism Charges

Man Charged In Edmonton Robbery Faces Extradition To U.S. On Terrorism Charges
A two-day extradition hearing is underway in Edmonton to determine whether a man who allegedly helped pay for his relatives to travel to Syria will be sent to the United States to face terrorism charges.

Man Charged In Edmonton Robbery Faces Extradition To U.S. On Terrorism Charges

Donald Trump To Give Full Pardon To Indian-American Conservative Commentator Dinesh D’Souza

Donald Trump To Give Full Pardon To Indian-American Conservative Commentator Dinesh D’Souza
In a tweet, Trump said D'Souza was “treated very unfairly". "Will be giving a Full Pardon to Dinesh D'Souza today. He was treated very unfairly by our government!” Trump tweeted.

Donald Trump To Give Full Pardon To Indian-American Conservative Commentator Dinesh D’Souza

Elon Musk Says This Indian Holds Key For Tesla's India Launch

Elon Musk Says This Indian Holds Key For Tesla's India Launch
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on Wednesday that he would love to roll out Tesla cars in India but the tough government regulations have forced him to apply the brakes on his India plans for now.

Elon Musk Says This Indian Holds Key For Tesla's India Launch

PM Modi Announces 30-Day Free Visa For Indonesian Citizens

PM Modi Announces 30-Day Free Visa For Indonesian Citizens
Prime Minister Modi said this mega event would be a new experience for the visitors who will not only realise India's ancient culture but also get a glimpse of 'New India'.

PM Modi Announces 30-Day Free Visa For Indonesian Citizens