India’s Modi Calls for Resuming Talks with Pakistan To ‘Turn the Course of History’

Addressing the Combined Commanders Conference aboard the INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier in Kochi, Kerala, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that India will never drop its guard against terrorism, said his government’s recent endeavor in resuming talks with Pakistan was to “‘try and turn the course of history,’ and to bring an end to terrorism,” India’s PTI reported Tuesday. This is the first time that Modi has spoken on relations with Pakistan after the two countries announced their re-engagement under bilateral comprehensive dialogue last week. The announcement came after Modi had met his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, on the sidelines of the Climate Change summit in Paris on Nov. 30, where the two also agreed to hold talks at the level of their national security advisors, PTI noted. Modi is also scheduled to visit Pakistan sometime next year.

Beyond the talks, another concrete development last week has given rise to the hope of improved India-Pakistan relations and integration of South Asia with Central Asia. On Dec. 13, the construction of the $10 billion 1,800-km-long pipeline, that would bring in 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Turkmenistan to South Asia, was officially inaugurated. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and the Indian Vice-President Hamid Ansari, together with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

Modi also warned the attending commanders of the potential dangers that lie ahead. He said, “Our region is marked by uncertain political transitions, weak institutions, and internal conflicts. And, major powers have also increased their engagement in our land and maritime neighborhood.”