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Pakistan has expressed its desire for amiable and collaborative relations with all its neighbors, including India, and has emphasized its preference for resolving disputes through dialogue.
This statement was made by the Foreign Office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inauguration for a third consecutive term.
When asked about Pakistan's stance on congratulating PM Modi on his electoral victory, Ms. Baloch asserted that it is the prerogative of Indian citizens to determine their leadership and that Pakistan holds no opinion on their electoral process.
She further noted that it would be premature to discuss the matter of felicitating the Indian Prime Minister as the new government has yet to be officially sworn in.
Elaborating on Pakistan's relations with India, Ms. Baloch maintained that Pakistan has consistently endeavored to resolve all outstanding issues with its neighbor through constructive dialogue.
She emphasized Pakistan's commitment to cooperative relations with all its neighbors, including India, and reiterated their persistent advocacy for constructive dialogue and engagement to address all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.
India has consistently expressed its desire for cordial ties with Pakistan but has emphasized that the onus lies on Islamabad to establish an environment devoid of terrorism and hostility as a prerequisite for such engagement.
Earlier this year, Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that India has never closed its doors to dialogue with Pakistan, but the issue of terrorism should be at the forefront of any discussions.
He asserted that India's stance is that it has never refused to engage in dialogue with Pakistan, but the focus of such dialogue should be on addressing terrorism, given Pakistan's numerous terrorist camps.
Source: "Indians Can Decide...": Pak On Not Congratulating PM Modi After Polls