Modi, Sharif discuss terrorism; hope for new page in ties

Posted on 27th May 2014 10:37 pm by admin

New Delhi, May 27 (IANS) A day after taking oath of office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday held wide-ranging discussions here with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on a range of issues including terrorism with a hope to start a new chapter in their strained bilateral ties.<br /><br />The first meeting between India's new prime minister and Sharif was held at Hyderabad House here with the two sides agreeing that their foreign secretaries will be in touch to discuss the future roadmap for talks.<br /><br />Modi clearly articulated India's concerns on terrorism at the meeting which was described as a "good, substantive and constructive" meeting by Indian officials.<br /><br />Sharif, who interacted with media before going back to Islamabad, said he had "a very good meeting" with Modi and it was time to open "a new page" in bilateral relationship.<br /><br />Modi "underlined his concerns on terrorism and expressed the hope that Pakistan will abide by its commitment to not allow its territory or territories controlled by it to be used for terrorist activities against India," Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh told media.<br /><br />Modi also called for a speedy trial of Pakistanis accused of masterminding the Mumbai terror attack of 2008.<br /><br />The bilateral relationship between the two countries has been bedevilled by what India views as Pakistan's hesitation in taking action against the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.<br /><br />Sharif had Monday joined leaders from SAARC countries at the swearing in of Modi as India's prime minister. He met Modi Tuesday for what was called a "courtesy meeting" by officials.<br /><br />In a statement which he read out, Sharif said he had underlined that India and Pakistan needed peace to build their economies.<br /><br />He said his 45-minute meeting with Modi was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere." He told Modi that he desired to take forward the peace process that he had initiated with then Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999 until it was derailed by a military coup.<br /><br />"I intend to pick up the threads of the Lahore peace declaration."<br /><br />The Pakistani premier said his own election and Modi's electoral victory - both "with a clear mandate" - "should be a historic opportunity for both our countries" to meet hopes and aspirations of people on the two sides. <br /><br />Sharif said he urged Modi "to strive to change confrontation to cooperation" and added his government was "ready to discuss all issues in a spirit of cooperation".<br /><br />"After all we owe it to our people ... to rid the region of instability and insecurity that has plagued us for decades.<br /><br />"Accusations and counter-accusations will be counter productive... We must end the legacy of mistrust. Modi warmly reciprocated my sentiments," Sharif said.<br /><br />Sujatha Singh termed the meeting between the two prime ministers as "very constructive".<br /><br />"Both sides were trying to address each other's concerns," she said.<br /><br />"We want peaceful relations with Pakistan. However, for such relations to proceed it is important that terror and violence is brought to an end," she said when asked whether the meeting could open a new chapter in bilateral relations.<br /><br />The foreign secretary said that India's "concerns on terrorism were clearly articulated". <br /><br />Singh did not confirm or deny if Modi had raised with Sharif concerns about involvement of terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba in the attack on the Indian consulate in Herat in Afghanistan last week.<br /><br />Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has stated that, according to information given to his government by a Western intelligence agency, Lashkar-e-Taiba was behind the attack on the Indian consulate.<br /><br />Asked if Modi raised the issue of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim who is said to be living in Pakistan, Singh said she did not want to go into details. <br /><br />On Kashmir, she said India's stand was well known and foreign secretaries of the two countries will meet and discuss the way forward. She said Modi has been invited to Pakistan and he had accepted the invitation but no dates had been fixed yet.<br /><br />Asked about India getting NDMA (non-discriminatory market access) status from Pakistan, she said that there was also discussion on trade.

Other news

Iran is training Russia to fight: the US said - Iranian soldiers are teaching Russian army to operate kamikaze drones

The Russia-Ukraine war has been going on for the last 8 months. Meanwhile, Russia has started usi

Corona in Bihar: This is the lowest test in the country; CM ordered to do 20 thousand tests daily, but the system is getting just 10 thousand

March 22, 1912, is the important date in history on which Bihar was born as a state. Between 1911

Rajnath Singh: Rajnath Singh said - Ammunition is proof of the country's economic strength

The opposition in the country is besieging the government on economic issues. Meanwhile, Defense

Free health checkup of every citizen of Haryana: Government will start the scheme in 3 phases; Digital records will also be ready

The Haryana government will now prepare an account of the health of every Haryanvi. For this, the

India-Russia: Russian Ambassador said - India-Russia relations are among the world's most comprehensive cooperation

Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said the India-Russia multi-faceted cooperation is one o

Joshimath: Demand to declare Joshimath landslide a national disaster, case to be listed in Supreme Court tomorrow

The petitioner has sought immediate intervention from the Supreme Court in the Joshimath landslid

Hina Khan: Hina is going through pain due to cancer, after surgery the hospital wrote a letter and gave courage to the actress

Hina Khan is battling cancer these days. The actress is undergoing treatment. She recently underw

Sanjay Raut: 'Ab Nahi koi baat khatre ki...', many speculations on this tweet of Raut, also tagged Fadnavis and Shinde

A tweet by Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has once again increased the political stir in Maharashtr

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board issued an advisory, beware of fraudsters in helicopter ticket booking

Be careful if you want to go by helicopter to see Shri Mata Vaishno. You can also be a victim of

Maharashtra's first cabinet expansion on Sunday: 40% stake to Eknath Shinde faction in the cabinet; Home and Finance Department will remain with BJP

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde may expand his cabinet in Maharashtra before August 7. According to