India-Pakistan state of affairs a 'historic opportunity': Envoy

Kolkata, March 18 (IANS) Terming Nawaz Sharif and Narendra Modi, prime misters of Pakistan and India, as leaders oriented towards "development and peace in the region", Pakistan's High Commissioner Abdul Basit on Wednesday said the current scenario was a "historic opportunity".

"Our prime minister (Sharif) believes Pakistan cannot realise its potential unless it has good normal relationship with all its neighbouring countries, particularly India and Afghanistan," Basit told media persons at an event organised by the MCC Chamber of Commerce.

"It is a historic opportunity because on the Indian side too, there is a prime minister who strongly believes in the development agenda and he also believes that it is essential for this region to come together and grow together," he said.

Basit said Sharif's vision of "peace for development and development for peace" envisages a "good, normal relationship with India and peace in the entire region".

"This is a historic opportunity and in my view should not be lost because opportunities come rarely. We shouldn't lose this opportunity which is there now because of the two leaders."

The top envoy said Pakistan was keen to normalise its relations with India and not a single politician in his country made an anti-Indian statement during the 2013 elections.

"There is an immense desire in our country to reach out to India and normalise our relations. All political parties (in Pakistan) are committed to strengthening and normalising relations with India," he said.

However, the diplomat said his country was ready to wait for talks if India thinks otherwise.

"If India feels it is not yet the time to talk to Pakistan, we can wait though we would very much like this engagement process to resume as quickly as possible.

"India should also feel comfortable while talking to Pakistan, so we are also not in a hurry in that sense."