Open Letter To PM Narendra Modi & Shehbaz Sharif: 100 Prominent Voices Call For India-Pakistan Peace

New Delhi: Amidst the long standing tense relations between India and Pakistan, 117 prominent personalities of both countries have taken a new initiative to restore peace. These people have written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, appealing to resume dialogue between the two countries, normalize diplomatic relations and restore people-to-people contacts. The letter has come out at a time when Operation Sindoor has completed one year and relations between the two countries are still not normalised.

Who signed the letter?

A total of 117 prominent citizens of India and Pakistan have signed this open letter issued by the 'Center for Peace and Progress.' From the Indian side, 61 people including National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, RJD MP Manoj Jha and AJUP leader Humayun Kabir have supported this initiative. From Pakistan side, many former diplomats, academicians, social workers and people associated with public life have also signed the document.

The 61 signatories from the Indian side guys. The usual suspects. https://t.co/S64zvTG5IU pic.twitter.com/ORxs1AIvME

— Paamela Goswami (@pamelagoswami9) July 1, 2026

What demands have been made in the letter?

• Diplomatic relations should be restored: high commissioners should be appointed again in New Delhi and Islamabad.
• Visa services should be started: Normal visa services should be started again for the common people of both countries.
• Airspace should be opened: The airspace of both countries should be reopened for each other.
• Negotiations should begin: Negotiations should be resumed in an organized manner.
• Increase in movement of people: Religious and cultural travel should be promoted so that there is contact between people.

Why was Operation Sindoor mentioned?

The letter said that after Operation Sindoor, relations between the two countries became more tense. Its impact was not limited to diplomatic relations only but also affected common citizens, students, businessmen and families. The signatories say that the biggest price for the ongoing tension is being paid by the new generations of both countries, who are being deprived of employment, education and opportunities for a better future.

Why was the appeal made to restore peace?

It has been said in the letter that there is a need to take immediate diplomatic steps. Its objective is to benefit the common people by reducing tension between the two countries. The signatories believe that enmity is only causing harm and only through peace can the future of the people on both sides be better.

Has there been any response from governments?

At present, there has been no official response to this open letter from both the governments of India and Pakistan. Although political analysts believe that such initiatives of civil society can be helpful in creating an environment of dialogue between the two countries, for any concrete change, the final decision will have to be taken by both governments.