ISLAMABAD: Following cancelation of the foreign secretary level dialogue by India, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has sent Pakistani mangoes to his counterpart Narendra Modi, in a bid to appease prevailing bitterness in the bilateral ties.

A report published on the website of The Times of India, citing ‘top level sources’, said the mangoes were delivered to Modi through “official channels” on Wednesday evening.

The diplomatic sources claimed that the gesture is not only aimed at seeking to undo the damage to ties caused by the cancellation of talks, but also hints at Islamabad’s willingness to a meeting of the two prime ministers on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York later this month.

Pakistan, however, has so far not made a formal proposal for the New York meeting.

Despite Modi’s tirade when he accused Pakistan of having made a “spectacle” of India’s effort to pursue warmer relations, PM Sharif has avoided any provocation. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has also reiterated their desire to improve the relations with India.

The sources also claimed that the mangoes – mainly Nawaz Sharif’s favourite Sindhri and Chaunsa – were also sent to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.

“The message seems to be one of sweetness as symbolised by the mangoes but we'll have to wait a little longer to see what lies on the road ahead,” the report quoted a source privy to the development.