Nawaz calls Modi, condoles deaths in quake

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, on Thursday morning and offered condolences and sympathies over the human loss and devastation due to the earthquake that mainly rocked Nepal killing more than 6,000 people but also hitting India where more than 80 people were killed.
Both the prime ministers agreed to adopt a joint strategy to cope with natural disasters.This has been officially stated here while sympathising with the government as well as the bereaved families of the victims.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan and its people expressed support and solidarity with the government and the people of India and were ready to extend all possible assistance that might be needed.
According to a PM Office statement, during the telephonic conversation, both the sides stressed the need to develop an effective and well-coordinated natural disaster management system in the region.Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated what he had said during last year’s flood on both sides of the LoC in Kashmir that natural disasters of this nature highlighted the importance of a joint regional approach for their effective management.
Meanwhile, the Indian prime minister claimed through his tweet that Nawaz Sharif also appreciated the Indian efforts in the rescue operations in Nepal. Modi said that he thanked the Pakistan leader for his “kind words”.
During the conversation, Modi said he suggested to Nawaz Sharif that Saarc nations should conduct regular joint exercises on disaster relief and rescue. “The Saarc nations can come together and hold annual exercises of rescue teams, doctors, etc, on how we can minimise the damage during natural disasters,” the Indian PM said. “PM Nawaz appreciated this idea and told me that we should take up such an initiative,” he said in another tweet.
The two prime ministers also discussed the untimely rains and their adverse impact on the crops. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed the news of phone calls from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the Indians through his tweet in the following words: “Got a call from PM Nawaz Sharif. He expressed condolence on the loss of lives in various parts of India due to the earthquake.”Interestingly, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stated the other day that India had failed in responding to Pakistan’s desire to normalise ties with it.