Share and Follow
Key Points
- Aimen Jafri and Ritu Sharma say their shared cultural values have brought them closer despite conflicts between their countries of birth.
- Jafri and Sharma are advocating for increased people-to-people engagement between Indians and Pakistanis.
- They believe community collaboration towards common causes can go a long way in deepening relationships between the communities.
“My relatives in Pakistan, especially those near the Line of Control, are deeply distressed by the current situation,” Jafri said.
Sharma echoed this sentiment: “Aimen is one of my dearest friends. Our shared cultural values have brought us close, and I believe that people-to-people connections are crucial for peace.”
Aimen Jafri is a Pakistani-origin civil society activist. Source: SBS / Aimen Jafri
The backdrop to their friendship is the volatile situation in the Kashmir region.
Amidst this turmoil, Jafri and Sharma are advocating for increased people-to-people engagement between Indians and Pakistanis, believing that such connections can pave the way for lasting peace.
Originally from India, Ritu Sharma is also a civil society activist. Credit: SBS / Ritu Sharma
Jafri said her close relatives in Pakistan — living near the Line of Control — were distressed by the recent escalation, and in such times, the compassionate message of solidarity and friendship from her Indian friend Ritu was deeply comforting.
Sharma, in turn, said Jafri was one of her closest friends due to their shared cultural heritage.
How can the two communities come together?
“Our bond is rooted in purpose, not in the borders that separate us.”
“If you saw someone from New Delhi and someone from Karachi sitting down to eat together, you probably couldn’t tell the difference — in how they speak, what they wear, or what they’re eating,” she said.
