Interacting with members of the Karachi and Hyderabad (Sindh) press clubs at a function organised by the Mantralaya and Vidhimandal Vartahar Sangh, Patil said anti-Pakistan rhetoric has never been a fodder for election campaigns in the country.
"I have never come across politicians who have increased their vote share because of speaking against Pakistan. In fact, no one does that. Strengthening of democracy in Pakistan is crucial to India," he said.
Patil said 26/11 terror attacks had left a deep wound among the people of Mumbai and India. "Enhanced communication between people of the two countries is necessary so that steps can be taken to ensure that such incidents do not happen again," he felt.
Patil said he also felt the need to avoid hostilities between the two neighbours. "I visited Wagah border some years ago. After the change of guard function, the gates open and people from both sides of the border exchange pleasantries. I wondered if there is need for the change of guard function where the body language symbolises challenging one other," he said.
Karachi Press Club president Tahir Hasan Khan said mediapersons from both Mumbai and Karachi should pursue the demand of setting up consulates of each other's countries in the two cities. More