In his victory speech, Imran Khan said, “If India's leadership is ready, we are ready to improve ties with India. If you step forward one step, we will take two steps forward. I think it will be very good for all of us if we have good relations with India. We need to have trade ties, and the more we will trade, both countries will benefit.

By Promod Puri – Special To DESIBUZZCanadA

With the election of popular former cricketer and long-time politician Imran Khan as it's Prime Minister-elect, Pakistan get's it's most populous leader since former PM Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated.

With Khan finally in the PM's chair, India's neighbouring country looks forward to the promised era of peace and prosperity for its impoverished people.

And India is keenly watching the politics and leadership change which can impact the relationship between the two countries.

In his victory speech, Imran Khan said, “If India's leadership is ready, we are ready to improve ties with India. If you step forward one step, we will take two steps forward. I think it will be very good for all of us if we have good relations with India. We need to have trade ties, and the more we will trade, both countries will benefit.

“The unfortunate truth is that Kashmir is a core issue, and the situation in Kashmir, and what the people of Kashmir have seen in the last 30 years …. they have really suffered.

“Pakistan and India's leadership should sit at a table and try to fix this problem. It's not going anywhere. I say this with conviction, this will be the most important thing for the subcontinent, for both countries to have a friendship.”

At this early stage of his leadership, we can trust his sentiments for a cordial relationship with India. Both the countries share an emotional bond of being one family but split 71 years ago.

Flip the coin, and on one side India and Pakistan seem to be combating with each other forever. On the other side, they are sharing the same bread of common roots, common cultures, languages, and traditions.

This love and hate relationship between the two neighbours is as a result of natural and historical bonding between the peoples of the two countries.

Historically, culturally, and even emotionally they are together as one people. Their heritage is the same and will remain the same forever.

Promod Puri is a former editor and publisher of The Link. Now retired, but actively writes for his websites promodpuri.com and progressivehindudialogue.com.