Pakistan, India ready to discuss all outstanding issues

 

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif meets his Indian counterpart in Ufa, Russia

Pakistan and India have expressed readiness to discuss all outstanding issues to promote peace and development in the region.

This came at a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at Ufa, Russia today.

They agreed that both Pakistan and India have a collective responsibility to ensure peace and promote development.

Later, briefing the media persons about the meeting, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said the two prime ministers condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They agreed to cooperate to eliminate this menace from South Asia.

Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. Both the sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional issues.

He said an early meeting between DG Indian border security force and DG Rangers Pakistan will be held which will be followed by the meeting of DG Military Operations. He said a decision for release of fishermen in each other’s country, along with boats, will be taken within fifteen days.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif again extended invitation to the Indian prime minister to visit Pakistan to attend the SAARC summit in 2016. The Indian prime minister accepted the invitation.

In a brief chat with the media, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over his meeting with the Indian prime minister. He said the meeting was held in a cordial environment.

A Foreign Office spokesman told newsmen in Islamabad that the meeting between the two leaders was a positive development.

He expressed the hope that it would have a positive impact on bilateral relations between the two countries.

He said the international community was also interested in improvement of relations between Pakistan and India because it would benefit not only the peoples of the two countries but also the whole region.