117 Indian and Pakistani Eminent Citizens Urge PMs Modi and Shehbaz Sharif to Resume Dialogue

New Delhi | July 1, 2026 A group of 117 prominent citizens from India and Pakistan has jointly appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to revive dialogue and take concrete steps toward restoring normal bilateral relations.

The joint letter, initiated by the Centre for Peace and Progress, carries the signatures of 61 Indians and 56 Pakistanis, including politicians, former diplomats, academics, journalists, lawyers, scientists, and civil society representatives from both countries.

Among the Indian signatories are Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Manoj Jha, and former Research and Analysis Wing chief A. S. Dulat. Pakistani signatories include former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, former diplomat Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, and scientist Pervez Hoodbhoy.

In the letter, the signatories note that India and Pakistan together represent nearly one-fifth of the world's population and argue that prolonged tensions have negatively affected opportunities for peace, development, employment, and regional stability.

The appeal urges both governments to restore full diplomatic relations by appointing High Commissioners in New Delhi and Islamabad, resume visa services for ordinary citizens, and facilitate cross-border religious and cultural travel. It also calls for reopening the historic Sharada Peeth pilgrimage site for devotees.

Additionally, the letter seeks the removal of media restrictions imposed by both countries and advocates allowing journalists to report freely across borders. The signatories stress that their appeal is not politically motivated but is aimed at promoting peace, regional stability, and a better future for nearly two billion people.

Speaking on the issue, Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha supported greater people-to-people engagement between the two countries. He argued that while governments may independently decide on matters such as security and the Indus Waters Treaty, cultural exchanges, music, art, and citizen interactions should not become casualties of political tensions.

Jha also questioned the progress of investigations into recent terror incidents, including the Pahalgam terror attack, saying greater transparency was needed while emphasizing that diplomatic and security issues should be handled separately from public engagement.

The appeal comes at a time when relations between India and Pakistan remain strained following the Pahalgam terror attack and continued tensions over security and cross-border issues.

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