Claim
117 intellectuals from India and Pakistan have written a letter to the prime ministers of both countries demanding resumption of dialogue, trade and people-to-people contact, and urging steps toward demilitarization and de-escalation.
“भारत और पाकिस्तान के 117 बुद्धिजीवियों ने भारत और पाकिस्तान के प्रधानमंत्रियों को पत्र लिखकर न केवल संवाद, व्यापार और लोगों के बीच संपर्क फिर से शुरू करने की मांग की है, बल्कि विसैन्यीकरण और तनाव कम करने की दिशा में काम करने का भी आग्रह किया है।”▶ Watch source segment
Rationale
Multiple independent outlets, including wire agency ANI, confirm that 117 prominent Indian and Pakistani citizens (61 Indians, 56 Pakistanis) — described as intellectuals, activists and public figures — wrote an open letter to the prime ministers of both countries around the broadcast date, demanding resumption of dialogue, trade and people-to-people contact and urging demilitarisation and de-escalation. The anchor's figure of 117 and the letter's stated demands match the reporting; describing the signatories collectively as 'intellectuals' is a fair characterization of the group.
Evidence
- https://aninews.in/news/world/asia/war-benefits-no-one-117-prominent-citizens-from-india-and-pakistan-urge-pms-to-resume-dialogue20260702013821/ ANI (wire agency) reports 117 prominent citizens — 61 Indians and 56 Pakistanis — jointly wrote an open letter to the PMs of India and Pakistan urging resumption of dialogue, trade and communication ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/dialogue-remains-the-only-viable-way-117-eminent-indians-pakistanis-write-to-pms-modi-and-sharif-seeking-peace-initiative Reports the letter to PMs Modi and Sharif called dialogue 'the only viable way', sought revival of trade, travel and people-to-people exchanges, and urged demilitarisation and de-escalation alongside addressing both countries' security concerns ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.thehansindia.com/news/national/an-open-letter-from-117-eminent-india-pak-citizens-to-modi-sharif-1092663 Independent coverage confirming an open letter from 117 eminent Indian and Pakistani citizens to both prime ministers with the same demands ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.republicworld.com/india/war-benefits-no-one-117-prominent-citizens-from-india-and-pakistan-urge-pms-to-resume-dialogue-2026-07-02-130876 Corroborates the count of 117 signatories and the letter's calls for reopening trade routes, cross-border transport links and people-to-people contact ✓ reachable · archived