India and Pakistan today
decided to explore the way forward in bilateral ties through their
Foreign Secretaries after a "constructive" meeting between Pakistan
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi who
voiced concerns over terrorism originating from Pakistan. On his first
day in office, Modi held talks with all the eight foreign leaders who
attended his swearing-in ceremony yesterday, but his most substantive
discussion was with Sharif who then returned home. During the 45-minute
meeting, Modi, who has been sharply critical of his predecessor
Manmohan Singh's Pakistan policy, expressed the hope that India-Pakistan
relations would progress in the economic, cultural and political fields
in the same manner that India's relations with her other SAARC
neighbours have progressed in recent years. Briefing reporters on
Modi's meeting with Sharif and other SAARC leaders, Foreign Secretary
Sujatha Singh said Modi remarked that Pakistan must abide by its
commitment to prevent its territory and the territory under its control
from being used to spread terrorism against India. Modi also hoped that
necessary steps will be taken to expedite the trial in Pakistan
relating to Mumbai terror attack case and ensure punishment to the
accused, she said. The Prime Ministers agreed that the Foreign
Secretaries will remain in touch and explore how to move forward, Singh
said. Significantly, the element of Foreign Secretaries meet to take
forward the ties has been reintroduced by the two countries after nearly
two years. India and Pakistan have been, for the past two years,
talking about meetings between their Director General of Military
Operations in view of the spate of ceasefire violations along the Line
of Control (LoC). Describing his meeting with Modi "good and
constructive" Sharif, before his departure for Pakistan, read out a
statement to media which said that his government stands ready to
discuss all issues between the two countries in a spirit of cooperation
and sincerity. During his visit, Sharif did not meet Kashmiri
separatist Hurriyat representatives, a normal norm for most of the
Pakistani leadership, nor did he mention Kashmir in his pre-departure
statement. During the meeting, Modi said the two countries could move
towards full normalisation of trade on the basis of the September, 2012
road-map on political and economic relations.
On trade, the Foreign Secretary said the two leaders discussed the issue of non-discriminatory market access to be given by Pakistan. Asked whether Modi raised the issue of the presence of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, Singh said many things including terrorism were discussed. "I don't want to speak more on this." "We want peaceful and friendly relations with Pakistan. However, for such relations to proceed, it is important that terror and violence is brought to an end," she said. Asked if India was satisfied with the discussions on the 26/11 issue, Singh said the meeting was very constructive and both sides wanted to understand the concerns of the other side She said the acceptance of the invitation by the SAARC leaders and their presence in the swearing-in ceremony marks a new starting point in the relations. Modi noted that it was good to see all the eight leaders graciously accepting the invitation and their presence has enriched the celebration of Indian democracy. "This is a new beginning. This is the first time when all the SAARC leaders have been present on an occasion like this," she said adding one leader wondered whether there should have a SAARC summit here. Asked whether Modi will travel to Pakistan, Singh said invitations have come and they have been accepted but no dates have been finalised. "Dates have to be worked out," she said. When queried whether the Composite Dialogue process would be resumed, she said the Foreign Secretaries will meet to find a way forward. Pitching for "working together" in his maiden meeting with Modi, Sharif said both will have to strive to change confrontation into cooperation. "We agreed that our meeting in New Delhi, should be a historic opportunity for both our countries...," Sharif said and recalled his invitation to then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Lahore in February 1999 and that he "intended to pick up the threads of the Lahore Declaration, from where it had to be left off in October 1999".
On trade, the Foreign Secretary said the two leaders discussed the issue of non-discriminatory market access to be given by Pakistan. Asked whether Modi raised the issue of the presence of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, Singh said many things including terrorism were discussed. "I don't want to speak more on this." "We want peaceful and friendly relations with Pakistan. However, for such relations to proceed, it is important that terror and violence is brought to an end," she said. Asked if India was satisfied with the discussions on the 26/11 issue, Singh said the meeting was very constructive and both sides wanted to understand the concerns of the other side She said the acceptance of the invitation by the SAARC leaders and their presence in the swearing-in ceremony marks a new starting point in the relations. Modi noted that it was good to see all the eight leaders graciously accepting the invitation and their presence has enriched the celebration of Indian democracy. "This is a new beginning. This is the first time when all the SAARC leaders have been present on an occasion like this," she said adding one leader wondered whether there should have a SAARC summit here. Asked whether Modi will travel to Pakistan, Singh said invitations have come and they have been accepted but no dates have been finalised. "Dates have to be worked out," she said. When queried whether the Composite Dialogue process would be resumed, she said the Foreign Secretaries will meet to find a way forward. Pitching for "working together" in his maiden meeting with Modi, Sharif said both will have to strive to change confrontation into cooperation. "We agreed that our meeting in New Delhi, should be a historic opportunity for both our countries...," Sharif said and recalled his invitation to then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Lahore in February 1999 and that he "intended to pick up the threads of the Lahore Declaration, from where it had to be left off in October 1999".
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