117 Eminent Indian and Pakistani Citizens Urge Modi and Sharif to Resume Dialogue and Restore Ties

In a significant joint appeal amid ongoing India-Pakistan tensions, 117 prominent citizens from both countries have written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling for immediate steps to restart dialogue, restore diplomatic relations, and promote peace.

The letter, issued by the Centre for Peace and Progress and spearheaded by its chairman O.P. Shah, was signed by 61 Indians and 56 Pakistanis. It urges both governments to end prolonged hostility, which it says is depriving millions of young people of opportunities, prosperity, and a secure future.

Key demands in the letter include reinstating High Commissioners in New Delhi and Islamabad, resuming normal visa services, restoring connectivity including airspace, borders, buses, and trains, restarting structured bilateral dialogue on all outstanding issues including Jammu and Kashmir, taking confidence-building measures such as demilitarisation and de-escalation for lasting peace, and revisiting the 2004-2007 framework for addressing Kashmir and other issues.

Prominent signatories from India include National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, RJD MP Manoj Jha, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, former RAW chief A.S. Dulat, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and others including politicians and public figures. The letter also includes several Pakistani personalities.

The appeal comes nearly a year after India’s Operation Sindoor in response to terror attacks, including the Pahalgam incident.

While the letter highlights the shared destiny of nearly one-fifth of humanity living in the two nations and stresses people-to-people ties, critics in India argue that meaningful engagement requires Pakistan to end cross-border terrorism first.

The initiative has sparked debate on whether dialogue can resume amid security concerns, but signatories maintain that sustained communication is essential for regional stability and prosperity.