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New Delhi: In a rare cross-border initiative, 117 eminent personalities from India and Pakistan have jointly appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to restart dialogue and restore normal diplomatic relations between the two neighbours.
The appeal, issued under the banner of the Centre for Peace and Progress, carries the signatures of 61 distinguished Indians and 56 Pakistanis, including former diplomats, politicians, academics and civil society leaders.
In their joint letter, the signatories stressed that prolonged hostility continues to affect millions of people on both sides of the border, while undermining regional peace, stability and economic progress.
They urged both governments to restore diplomatic missions to full strength by reinstating High Commissioners, normalise the visa regime, and resume trade, transport and other people-to-people exchanges.
The appeal comes at a time of strained bilateral relations, with the signatories asserting that sustained diplomatic engagement remains the most effective path towards lasting peace and regional stability.
