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.
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.
Also Read
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.