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.
