Pakistan is expecting normalisation of its relations with India after completion of the election process in the country but the threat of any misadventure cannot be ruled out. This was the crux of interaction with outgoing Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and her successor Sohail Mahmood with the beat reporters here at the Foreign Office on Tuesday.
"Let's ignore India for sometime till completion of the election process then we can say something [about improvement in the relationship]," said Janjua in response to a question about the possibility of resumption of talks on the outstanding issues.
She said that the Modi government has so far badly failed on its narrative to isolate Pakistan regionally and internationally, adding that despite India's concerted efforts to this end, Pakistan's importance has not only increased regionally but also internationally.
Janjua said that Pakistan is being heard at the international forums and it is evident from Pakistan's active and effective diplomacy at the United Nations.
To another question, she said that currently, relations with India are very sensitive and Pakistan cannot take any risk to send an unprofessional high commissioner to New Delhi to replace Mahmood. "Whoever is appointed as the new high commissioner to New Delhi, will be a thorough professional," she added.
In his response to a question about the perspective peace talks with India, Mahmood, who is going to take over as the new foreign secretary today (Wednesday), said that at present there is no new development in Pakistan-India relations, adding that some improvement is expected after the election in India.
"Opportunities did come on many occasions and it is likely that there also comes an opportunity [of engagement] after the election," he hoped. Besides the ongoing talks on Kartarpur Corridor, he pointed out that the two countries are also in touch at the level of director generals military operations (DG MOs) who interact with each other on every Tuesday.
He further said that Pakistan being an important country of the region will continue to play an important role towards peace and stability, adding that peaceful neighbourhood is the central pillar of Pakistan's foreign policy.
To a question, Mahmood said that Foreign Office plays a leading role in formulation of the country's foreign policy, besides taking input from other relevant departments.
About Prime Minister Imran Khan's upcoming visit to Iran on April 21-22, Janjua described the visit as an important development, saying that Iran is very important neighbour of Pakistan.
She said that the trip is part of the prime minister's regional outreach and expressed the hope that it will result in further improvement in the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Earlier, the outgoing Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua paid farewell call on Prime Minister Imran Khan here at the Prime Minister's Office.
According to the media office of the Prime Minister House, the Prime Minister appreciated the meritorious services of Tehmina Janjua who stands retire at the midnight of Tuesday.
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