NEW DELHI: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to condole the loss of lives in India in the recent earthquake.
“Got a call from PM Nawaz Sharif. He expressed condolences on the loss of lives in various parts of India due to the earthquake,” Modi tweeted.
Sharif also appreciated India’s efforts in the rescue operations in Nepal, Modi said, adding he thanked the Pakistan leader for his “kind words”.
During the conversation, Modi said he suggested to Sharif that SAARC nations should conduct regular joint exercises on disaster relief and rescue.
“SAARC Nations can come together & hold annual exercises of rescue teams, doctors etc on how we can minimize damage during natural disasters,” the Indian Prime Minister said.
“PM Sharif appreciated this idea & told me that we should take up such an initiative,” he said in another tweet.
The two Prime Ministers also discussed the unseasonal rains and its adverse impact on the crops. Meanwhile in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Foreign Office also said Sharif had offered assistance to quake victims in India.
“While sympathizing with the government as well as the bereaved families of the victims, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan and its people express support and solidarity with the government and the people of India and are ready to extend every possible assistance that may be needed,” Foreign Office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam quoted Sharif as telling Modi.
Sharif reiterated what he had said during last year’s Kashmir floods on both sides of the Line of Control that natural disasters of this nature highlight the importance of a joint regional approach for their effective management, Aslam said.
Sharif made the call a day after he said that India had failed to reciprocate his gesture of goodwill and peace when he visited New Delhi last year to attend Modi’s oath-taking ceremony.–PTI
