Former PM Sharif says Pakistan and India should ‘bury the past’ after successful visit

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif said he was optimistic relations with India could be mended following the recent visit of the rival country’s foreign minister S Jaishankar. “This is how talks move forward, talks should not stop, it would have been better if Mr Modi had come himself,” he said, meaning prime minister Narendra Modi. Mr Modi’s unscheduled visit to Pakistan in late 2015 for Mr Sharif’s birthday was a positive moment in bilateral ties, the former prime minister said, and lamented the “long pause” that has since affected relations. India and Pakistan had been in conflict for 75 years, and it was crucial not to let this animosity persist for another seven decades, he said, adding: “Both sides should sit down and discuss how to go forward.” Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif shakes hands with India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Islamabad Reflecting on Mr Modi’s 2015 visit to Lahore, Mr Sharif, who was then prime minister, said: “Modi’s visit was a pleasant surprise.