Islamabad: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that mutual will is needed to normalise relations with India. Talking to reporters at the Foreign Office, Dar highlighted Pakistan's diplomatic efforts since the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government came to power last year. When asked about Pakistan's relations with India, he stressed the importance of joint efforts and said it takes two hands to clap. 

Dar will go to Bangladesh

Dar, who is planning to visit Bangladesh next month, said ties between Islamabad and Dhaka are being rebuilt after the ouster of the Hasina government in August last year. He said he had received an invitation from Bangladesh Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus during a recent meeting in Cairo. "Bangladesh is like a long lost brother. Our aim is to strengthen economic and trade cooperation," he said. Yunus took over as Chief Advisor after then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power following a student-led movement on August 5 last year. 

Dar rejected these claims

Dar rejected claims of the country being isolated, saying, "When we took power, there was a perception of diplomatic isolation. However, this perception has changed by expanding our diplomatic outreach and engaging with regional neighbours." Commenting on Afghanistan, Dar expressed Pakistan's desire to strengthen ties with Kabul and also acknowledged that terrorism remains a major challenge. He revealed that proposed visits to Kabul have been postponed due to terrorist attacks. He also criticised former intelligence chief General Faiz Hameed for holding talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (