New Delhi/Islamabad, Aug 20: The newly-appointed foreign minister of Pakistan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, on Monday, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter to Imran Khan in which he indicated the beginning of talks between the two countries, the claim denied by India. Qureshi made the claim while addressing his first press conference as the foreign minister of Pakistan.

"India and Pakistan have to move forward keeping realities before them," Qureshi said at the press conference. He added that PM Narendra Modi had written a letter to Imran Khan in which he indicated a beginning of talks between the two countries, according to reports published in Pakistan media. He also emphasised on 'uninterrupted' dialogue with India.

"There is a need for continued and uninterrupted dialogue with India. We are neighbours. We have long-standing issues, both of us know these problems. But we have no other option but to engage in dialogue. We cannot afford adventurism," Qureshi added. According to ANI, sources said PM Modi wrote a letter to Imran Khan, but there was no mention of beginning of talks.

"PM Modi wrote a congratulatory letter to Imran Khan, but there was no new proposal for dialogue," government sources told ANI. On Sunday, in his maiden address to the nation, Imran Khan said Pakistan will work to have "best relations" with all its neighbours and hold talks to normalise ties as without it peace cannot be brought in the country.

"I have talked to all neighbours and Insha Allah, we will improve relations with all neighbours. Without peace (with neighbours) we cannot bring peace in Pakistan," Khan said. Earlier, in his address after leading his party to victory in the general elections on July 25, Khan had said Pakistan is ready to improve its ties with India. "If they take one step towards us, we will take two, but at least (we) need a start," he had said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 20, 2018 01:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).