India asked Pakistan to expedite the trial of the accused in the Mumbai terror attack case and ensure their conviction. In a meeting with his Pakistiani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told him Islamabad must abide by its commitment to control terrorism emanating from its soil against India.
Later, briefing reporters, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh said, during the meeting, Mr. Modi also expressed concern over terrorism. She said India’s concerns over terror were clearly articulated during the meeting.
Replying to a question whether Kashmir issue was discussed in Modi-Sharif meet or not, Ms Singh said that the Foreign Secretaries of both the countries will be in touch to how best to move forward.
She also said Mr Modi has accepted the invitation of all SAARC leaders including Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to visit their countries.
The meeting, which was held at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, lasted for about an hour. It came days after Indian consulate in Herat Afghanistan was attacked by terrorists which Afghan President Karzai has said was the handiwork of Lashkar-e-Toiba. The meeting was also held in the backdrop of continued ceasefire violations across the LoC in recent past.
Mr Sharif visited historic Jama Masjid in Walled city.
Mr Modi held bilateral discussions with leaders of other SAARC nations also. He met Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala. Mr Modi also met Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Karzai, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom also held meetings with President Pranab Mukkherjee.
Later talking to the media, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed his country’s readiness to discuss all issues with India in a spirit of cooperation. After his meetings with Indian leaders in New Delhi he said, the two countries should overcome the legacy of mistrust and misgivings about each other.
He said, both governments have a clear mandate to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the people and turn a new page in bilateral relations.
He said that Foreign Secretaries of both the countries will meet soon to review and carry forward bilateral agenda. He said, the goal of common good and development cannot be achieved without peace and stability in the region. Mr Sharif described his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as constructive.