A parliamentarian from Pakistan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushmwa Swaraj on Saturday, after offering to mediate between the Indian and Pakistani governments.
Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, a member of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), expressed hope that the two countries “don’t indulge in any blame game and together move ahead on the path of peace and prosperity”.
After meeting Modi, Swaraj and minister of state for external affairs VK Singh, Vankwani told ANI, “I assured that there is no Pakistani involvement in Pulwama attack. We should move in a positive direction, we want peace.”
The patron of the Pakistan Hindu Council was in India as part of a 220-member delegation from 185 countries who attended the Kumbh Mela on an invite of the government.
Vankwani made a fervent appeal to the governments of India and Pakistan to defuse tension in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, saying New Delhi will benefit the most if the two neighbours joined hands.
The two countries should not allow the use of their soils against each other, Vankwani said.
On the rising tension post the terror attack, the lawmaker from Pakistan premier Imran Khan’s party said his government “does not want such a situation”.
Vankwani said he shares a spiritual connection with India and visits the country twice every year, even if it’s not a government-sponsored trip.
Forty CRPF personnel were killed and many wounded when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into their bus in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14. The Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Indian government has been working diplomatic channels to “isolate Pakistan” at international forums for providing support to terrorism.
(With PTI inputs)
