117 eminent people from India and Pakistan write to Modi, Shehbaz Baz: End enmity, resume dialogue and relations

A total of 117 celebrities from both countries have written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif seeking to improve relations between India and Pakistan. "Choose the path of dialogue, not confrontation, so that there can be an atmosphere of peace and development in South Asia," it said. These 117 personalities include former officials, social and political personalities. The letter was signed by 61 people, including former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and RJD MP Manoj Jha, while 56 people, including former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, signed the letter from Pakistan. Why was the letter written to Modi-Sharif written? The initiative comes at a time when relations between India and Pakistan have been strained in recent months. He says that the ever-increasing hostilities are affecting the development, regional stability and interests of the common people of the two countries. Everything you need to know about the 11 demands from India and Pakistan 1. Resumption of dialogue between the two countries On December 25, 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Nawaz Sharif in Lahore. After the January 2, 2016 Pathankot terror attack, the bilateral talks have been stalled. 2. Discuss all contentious issues, including Jammu and Kashmir. Current status: On August 5, 2019, India abrogated Article 370. After this, Pakistan limited bilateral dialogue and diplomatic relations. 3. Reduce military tension Current status: On 25th February 2021, both sides agreed to resume the 2003 ceasefire agreement at the LoC. However, tensions along the borders continue after the recent terrorist incidents. 4. Increase people-to-people contact Current status: After the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, both countries imposed strict restrictions on the movement of civilians. 5. Improve cultural and educational ties Current status: After 18 September 2016 (Uri attack), the exchange of artists and most of the cultural events almost stopped. Collaboration between universities is also very limited. 6. Commencement of bilateral series of cricket and other sports Current status: The last bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan was played in 2012-13. Since then, the two teams have met only in tournaments like the ICC and Asia Cup. It's the same in other sports. 7. Commencement of air services between the two countries. Current status: Both countries have closed their airspace to each other's flights after 24 April 2025. Direct flights have been closed since then. 8. Simplify the visa process Current status: After 24 April 2025 most of the visa services were suspended and many nationals had to return. 9. The High Commissioner shall be re-appointed. Current status: After the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, Pakistan recalled its High Commissioner. India had also recalled its high commissioner. Since then, there is no full-time High Commissioner in both countries. 10. Reopening of bus service, Kartarpur Corridor and Attari-Wagah border Current status: Samjhauta Express and Thar Express have been closed since August 2019. The Delhi-Lahore bus service has also been suspended. The movement of civilians through the Attari-Wagah border has been affected since April 2025. The Kartarpur Corridor, which opened on 9 November 2019, has been affected several times due to the recent tensions. 11. Resume business Current status: On 9 August 2019, Pakistan suspended bilateral trade with India. Since then, India has reduced imports from Pakistan to negligible. Jammu and Kashmir BJP leader Ravinder Raina reacted to a letter written by the Indian government demanding dialogue between India and Pakistan. He said that the Government of India does not need any letter. India always wants good relations with its neighbours, but terrorism and dialogue cannot go together. "Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee went to Lahore by bus, but then there was an infiltration in Kargil and then there was a terrorist attack on Parliament. In 2014, the then Prime Minister of Pakistan attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and later Modi himself went to Lahore. He questioned whether those who are writing for India-Pakistan talks can guarantee that Pakistan will not commit any misadventure or terrorist act in the future. …………… Also read this news related to India-Pakistan tensions... Pakistan has once again threatened India over the Indus Water Treaty. Pakistan's Minister for Climate Change Musaddiq Malik said, "If anyone tries to stop the water from a part of Pakistan, we will cut off that hand." He claimed that India wanted to stop the water of Pakistan's share. Click here to read the full news...