The much anticipated meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif has just been concluded and speculations about the talks are many. Modi welcomed Sharif at the stately Hyderabad House in Delhi with a warm handshake. The two leaders took a few moments to pose for photographs as well.
While Nawaz was accompanied by his advisers on national security and foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz, Tariq Fatemi and foreign secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, India’s new Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj was present at the meeting from Indian side.
Officially, the meeting was said to be courtesy call, where it is believed that the two leaders discussed bilateral trade relations and other related matters.
This meeting, which comes after a long period of frosty relations between India and Pakistan following the 2008 Mumbai blasts and border tensions, is considered a significant move by the new government to ease tensions. the 45-minute rendezvous, a day after Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, was much more than a courtesy all, the sources believe. It is said that meeting will eventually get the long-stalled peace process between the two nuclear-armed countries moving.
Furthermore, sources said that the two leaders discussed terror issues between the two countries. Narendra Modi informed Sharif that the Pakistan’s progress in trial over alleged attackers involved in 26/11 2008 Mumbai blasts was too slow.
Although there is not much indication the officials will disclose the topics discussed by the two leaders, it is likely that Modi and Sharif will appear before the press for a short brief.
Nawaz Sharif arrived in New Delhi Monday to attend Narendra Modi’s oath-taking ceremony, along with other SAARC leaders. Sharif said yesterday, that he came bearing message of peace and closer ties. He further said that the two countries must make effort to alleviate fears and strengthen relations. According to him, both the countries should rid the region of instability and security that has plagued us for decades. Nawaz Sharif has voiced out his intentions that he is willing to pick up the broken threads from where the then prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee had left off in 1999, just ahead of the Kargil conflict.
Today, prior to arriving at Hyderabad House, Nawaz sharif also visited Red Fort, Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid in the capital. later today, before he departs at 5:30 pm, Sharif is also scheduled to meet Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Among the SAARC leaders, Modi has already met with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam.
Source : The Indian Republic
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