'Encouraged' by Modi's remarks on ties: Pak envoy

Pakistan on Wednesday said it was "encouraged" after BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's remarks regarding ties with foreign countries and asserted that it was looking forward to a stable government here to engage "quickly, comprehensively and meaningfully".

Making a strong pitch for resumption of dialogue process, Pakistan High Commissioner Abul Basit said talks were the only way to resolve outstanding issues and no one nation does any "favour" by talking, indicating that stopping of talks by India was not good for bilateral ties.

Interacting with women journalists here, Basit also said his government was committed to change the bilateral narrative of conflict into one by cooperation and mutual trust.

Asked about BJP's view that all those who do not support Modi should go to Pakistan, the High Commissioner said, "I have seen all the statements and remarks (by his party and him) but the best statement came last night from the Prime Ministerial candidate and I feel much more encouraged.

"His (Modi) response when a question was asked about Pakistan was very positive and that gives us hope that positive things will come... I am indeed encouraged."

In an interview on Tuesday, Modi had asserted that he would take forward former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's principles on foreign policy and said, "I believe mutual respect for one another and cooperation should be the basis for relationships with foreign nations."

Basit also downplayed BJP leader Giriraj Singh's remarks that all those who don't respect Modi should go to Pakistan, saying these were "rhetorics" used during electioneering.

The Pakistani envoy also said that his government was "keenly looking forward to a government with which Pakistan (can engage) quickly, comprehensively and meaningfully... and move from conflicting relations."

Strongly favouring the resumption of dialogue, Basit said Pakistan hopes that there were resumption of talks to resolve outstanding issues. "We should also preserve and build on past agreements and treaties," he added, citing examples of Indus water treaty and some understanding on demilitarisation of Siachen.

Asked about a perception that 'Pakistan was most dangerous country', Basit said, "Pakistan was not most dangerous country but most misunderstood country".