117 prominent people of India and Pakistan appealed to PM Modi and Shehbaz Sharif to adopt the path of peace by improving relations, restoration of dialogue, trade, visa, sports and air services with 11 demands.
New Delhi/Islamabad: Amidst the decades-old enmity, deepening tension on the borders and diplomatic deadlock, a sensational news has come which has created a stir in the political circles of both India and Pakistan. Perhaps for the first time in the history of the subcontinent, 117 of the most influential and renowned personalities of both the countries have come out in one voice against their respective governments. A highly confidential and strategic joint letter has been sent to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan’s PM Shahbaz Sharif, in which it has been said in strong words – “Leave the path of confrontation, start dialogue!”
Faces behind the curtain: Who are these 117 ‘peacemakers’?
As soon as this letter came out, the biggest suspense was about which big names were involved behind this sensitive initiative. When the list of signatories came out, there was silence in diplomatic circles. This joint front includes former bureaucrats, military officers, social workers and prominent politicians from both the countries.
- Front from India: It has been signed by 61 stalwarts, including two former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir – Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, and powerful RJD MP Manoj Jha.
- Command from Pakistan: 56 very influential personalities including former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri have put their seal of approval on this diplomatic document.
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How did India-Pakistan relations reach this point?
India-Pakistan relations have gone through frequent ups and downs over the past decade. This letter has come out at a time when diplomatic relations between the two countries are completely frozen. There were hopes of improvement in relations after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lahore in 2015, but comprehensive talks almost came to a halt after the 2016 Pathankot terror attack. After this, after the decision to remove Article 370 in 2019, Pakistan limited diplomatic relations and trade. In recent years, terrorist incidents and border tension have deepened the trust gap between the two countries. Following the Pahalgam terror attack in 2025, stringent restrictions were also imposed on the movement of citizens, visa services and air routes, almost ending contact between the two countries.
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Those 11 ‘demands’ that can change the future of both the countries
In this mysterious letter, 11 such conditions or demands have been placed before both the Prime Ministers, which, if accepted, could make the decades-old enmity become history in one fell swoop. The 11 demands that came out of the closed rooms of diplomacy are as follows:
- 1. Open the lock of closed dialogue: Official and diplomatic talks between the two countries should be resumed without any delay.
- 2. Straight talk on every dispute including Kashmir: All the old and complex disputed issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, should be resolved by sitting at the table.
- 3. The smell of gunpowder should be reduced (to control military tension): Both governments should take concrete and strategic steps to reduce military tension along the LOC and borders.
- 4. The links to transportation should be broken: Ways should be cleared to increase people-to-people contact between the common citizens of the two countries.
- 5. Jugalbandhi of culture and education: Educational and cultural ties should be revived at the level of art, music, films and universities.
- 6. ‘Mahamukabala’ (Bilateral Cricket Series) on the field: For cricket lovers, the stalled bilateral sports series between India and Pakistan should be flagged off again.
- 7. Shadow of ban removed from the sky: From the year 2025, the completely closed air routes and direct flights between the two countries should be restarted with immediate effect.
- 8. Cross border travel should be easy: Visa processes, which have been hit by stringent restrictions and suspensions, should be simplified to make it easier for families to meet.
- 9. ‘High Commissioner’ should return home: The posts of High Commissioners lying vacant since 2019 should be filled again and the diplomatic level should be made full-time.
- 10. Open the path of progress (Kartarpur and Wagah Border): Delhi-Lahore bus service, Kartarpur corridor and Attari-Wagah border should be completely opened for common citizens.
- 11. Reopening of closed safes (resumption of business): Bilateral trade, which was suspended since 2019, should be restarted so that the economies of both the countries can get a new impetus.
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Will the ice between the two countries really melt?
This letter has created the biggest suspense whether PM Modi and Shahbaz Sharif will consider these 11 demands? The continuous increase in hostilities in recent months has deeply harmed the interests of civilians and regional stability. Experts believe that this is not just a letter, but the increasing pressure from the intelligentsia of both the countries who now want to hear the echo of talks instead of guns on the borders. Now it remains to be seen how the rulers of Delhi and Islamabad respond to this ‘peace message’!
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Insistence to break the ‘dead lock’ on sports, art and sky restrictions
In this letter, the sorrows that the common citizens of both the countries have been facing for the last many years have been highlighted. Celebrities have demanded that the India-Pakistan bilateral cricket series, which was closed since 2012-13, should be immediately reinstated. Additionally, it has advocated lifting the stringent restrictions on cultural and educational exchange imposed since the 2016 Uri attack. Most importantly, after the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack on 24 April 2025, both the countries had completely closed their airspace to each other and suspended visa services. In this letter, a strong advocacy has been made to remove these sky-high restrictions and restart the Attari-Wagah border, Delhi-Lahore bus service and stalled business.
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Who will be the most watched next?
Now the biggest question is whether this joint appeal will remain only a symbolic initiative or will both the governments give any positive indication in the direction of dialogue in future. Experts who keep an eye on the politics of South Asia believe that if diplomatic contact between the two countries increases in the future, then this letter can also be remembered as the starting point of that process. At present, all eyes are on the next reaction of New Delhi and Islamabad.