UFA, Russia (APP) – India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepted an invitation Friday from his counterpart Nawaz Sharif to attend a regional summit in Islamabad next year in what would be his first visit to Pakistan.
“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated his invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Pakistan for the SAARC Summit in 2016. Prime Minister Modi accepted that invitation,” said a joint statement from the governments after the two leaders met on the sidelines of the ongoing BRICS summit in Russia.
Earlier, the two prime ministers held bilateral meeting in Russia’s city Ufa, as both the sides hoped for resumption of talks and de-escalation of tension between the two neighboring countries.
The meeting lasted for about 50 minutes.
Later, briefing the newsmen about the meeting, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said the two prime minister condemned terrorism in all its forms. They agreed to cooperate to eliminate this menace in 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.
Indian External Affairs Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said the two countries have also agreed to hold a meeting in New Delhi to discuss matters pertaining to elimination of terrorism.
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 DGMOs. He said decision has been taken to release fishermen in each other’s country with boats within a period of fifteen days.
He said a mechanism will be devised to facilitate religious tourism.
The Indian external affairs secretary said the two leaders also discussed ways and means to expedite Mumbai attack case.
