On Monday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif finally sent a short message of congratulations to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, almost a week after Modi won re-election.
This came late and showed how difficult the relationship is between the two countries, which have a history of conflicts and disputes over land, especially in Kashmir. Despite the importance of having good relations between these two nuclear-armed neighbors, they haven’t been able to make much progress towards peace.
The message of congratulations was posted on X, marking the first official contact from Pakistan after the election results.
Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on Sunday had leaders from nearby countries like Bangladesh, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka, but not China or Pakistan.
This absence highlighted the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, which have gotten worse during Modi’s time as leader. He’s known for emphasizing Hindu nationalism and taking a tough stance on issues like national security and sovereignty.
It’s important to note that Shehbaz’s brother, Nawaz Sharif, who is a former Prime Minister, attended Modi’s inauguration in 2014.
This was significant because of the historical conflicts between the two countries. It showed that there’s potential for diplomatic progress, even though the relationship is often complicated.
However, with tensions still high and not much progress made in solving their differences, it’s uncertain when peace will be achieved in the region.