Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit on Thursday said Delhi and Islamabad cannot shy away from the “serious problems” between the two countries, reported ANI. He reiterated the Nawaz Sharif government’s desire to hold constructive dialogue, but said India needs to be on the same page as well.

“Pakistan doesn’t wish to live in perpetual hostility. We are positive and constructive, but it takes two to tango,” said Basit. He said that it was time that the nations decided whether they wanted to maintain status quo or “make a new beginning”.

Relations between the two countries have been on a downward spiral since the militant attack on Jammu and Kashmir’s Uri sector on September 18. India believes the attack was carried out by Pakistan-based militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, though Pakistan has denied any role in the incident. It was followed by surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army on terror launch pads along the Line of Control.