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Nawaz, Modi discuss issues of mutual interest
UFA: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s invitation to visit Pakistan for the SAARC summit in 2016. This will be Modi’s first visit to Pakistan.
The prime ministers of the South Asian neighbours met on the sidelines of the SCO summit on Friday morning in the Russian city of Ufa.
The two leaders discussed all important matters of mutual interest during the meeting which continued for about one hour. It took place on the desire of the Indian side. The two prime ministers shook hands before the start of talks.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was assisted by Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi in the meeting.
A Foreign Office spokesman told newsmen in Islamabad that the meeting between the two leaders was a positive development.
He expressed the hope that it would have a positive impact on bilateral relations between the two countries.
He said the international community was also interested in improvement of relations between Pakistan and India because it would benefit not only the people of the two countries but also the whole region.
Joint Statement
A joint statement was issued by the governments of both countries following the meeting between the prime ministers. The statement was highlighted by Modi’s acceptance of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s invitation to visit Islamabad next year for the SAARC summit.
Briefing newsmen about the meeting, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said the two prime ministers condemned terrorism in all its forms. They agreed to cooperate to eliminate this menace in South Asia.
Chaudhry said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and both sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional issues.
Indian External Affairs Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said the two countries have also agreed to hold a meeting in New Delhi to discuss matters pertaining to elimination of terrorism.
He said an early meeting between DG Indian border security force and DG Rangers Pakistan will be held which will be followed by the meeting of DGMOs. He also said a decision has been taken to release fishermen in each other's country with boats within a period of 15 days.
He said a mechanism will be devised to facilitate religious tourism.
The Indian external affairs secretary said the two leaders also discussed ways and means to expedite the Mumbai attack case.
Modi and Sharif met while attending a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation which is being held in the Russian city of Ufa.
Analysts Reaction
Commenting on the meeting, the analysts while terming the meeting important said India should create congenial environment for resumption of talks following their hostile statements against Pakistan in recent months. They said Pakistan desires peace in the region and the Indian side should also reciprocate.
US Welcomes Meeting
The US has welcomed the meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Russia on Friday, saying the tension between the two south Asian neighbours is not in anyone's interest.
"We welcome the meeting between Indian and Pakistani leaders there on the sidelines of this conference," state department spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Thursday at his daily news conference when asked about the Modi-Sharif meeting in Ufa.
"We also welcome any steps that both countries can take to try to reduce the tensions. That's been our longstanding position," Kirby said.
"We want to see the tensions reduced, and we want to see these issues resolved bilaterally between the two countries. It's in nobody's interest for the tensions to rise and to increase, and for the tensions in the region to become less stable in many ways than they already are," he said.
Responding to a question, Kirby said both the leaders want peace; and that's certainly what the US wants as well.
"There's an awful lot of kids living in that part of the world who I think everybody wants to make sure they have a better future. I think that's what we would hope the leaders in both countries are also trying to pursue. But these are issues that we want to see them solve bilaterally," Kirby said.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk
