Islamabad- Sartaj Aziz, adviser to the Prime Minister on foreign affairs, today the impression was wrong that Indian PM Narendra Modi had handed over charge sheet to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during summit meeting in New Delhi.
Addressing a press briefing today after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visit to New Delhi, the advisor said that media of both countries were given the impression that Nawaz Sharif had faced tough behavior of his Indian counterpart and did not express Pakistan’s concerns. He brushed aside the impression that Kashmir issue was sidelined during prime minister’s visit to India.
Aziz said that although the visit was a ceremonial one, both the countries agreed to hold future talks on disputed issues including Kashmir. On the issue of terrorism, Aziz said that PM Sharif unequivocally told the Indian prime minister that terrorism was a mutual concern and that Pakistan itself had suffered immensely due to terrorism. Aziz said that the prime minister also reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to root out the menace of terrorism. Foreign affairs advisor said that both the leaders agreed that there was a need for dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues that were affecting relations between the two countries.
He said that Prime Minister stressed the need for moving forward in the dialogue process in the light of the Lahore Declaration, and work to resolve all outstanding issues including Kashmir. The Advisor said it was agreed in the meeting that all issues would be resolved through dialogue and foreign secretaries of both the countries will resume their talks to move forward the peace process Aziz said that PM Sharif had expressed his desire that confrontation would be converted into meaningful cooperation.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited India on an invitation extended to him by Narendra Modi to attend his swearing-in ceremony. It was for the first time since independence that a Pakistan prime minister attended the inauguration of an Indian prime minister.
The Advisor said it was agreed in the meeting that all issues could be resolved through dialogue and foreign secretaries of both the countries would resume their talks to move forward the peace process. He said issues including Mumbai attacks and Samjhota Express incidents were discussed in the meeting besides confidence building and enhancing trade between the two countries. He said both the sides agreed to work together for rooting out the menace of terrorism.