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Modi, Sharif surprise Indo-Pak watchers with breakthrough talks, issue joint statement
Ufa, Russia, July 10 (IBNS) The hour-long bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on Friday in Russia produced breakthrough results, including a decision to set up military-to-military contact between the two countries and Modi's first-ever visit to Pakistan for a SAARC summit.
In another development, India agreed to send more evidence against terrorists being tried in Pakistan in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
The leaders, both of whom were in one voice in condemning terrorism met on the sidelines of the ongoing SCO summit in Russia.
During the talks that went on longer than expected Modi accepted an invite from Nawaz Sharif to visit Pakistan for the regional SAARC summit next year.
The move is seen as a major detour from the familiar paths the two sides are used to tread as the contentious Kashmir issue was not raised apparently since it did not find any mention in the joint statement by the foreign secretaries of the two countries.
The joint statement read out by foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan said: "The Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India met today on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Ufa.The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere.The two leaders exchanged views on issues of bilateral and regional interest.
"They agreed that India and Pakistan have a collective responsibility to ensure peace and promote development.To do so, they are prepared to discuss all outstanding issues."
"Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and agreed to cooperate with each other to eliminate this menace from South Asia."
They also agreed on the following steps to be taken by the two sides: A meeting in New Delhi between the two NSAs to discuss all issues connected to terrorism.
Early meetings of DG BSF and DG Pakistan Rangers followed by that of DGMOs.
Decision for release of fishermen in each other’s custody, along with their boats, within a period of 15 days.
Mechanism for facilitating religious tourism.
Both sides agreed to discuss ways and means to expedite the Mumbai case trial, including additional information like providing voice samples.
"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated his invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Pakistan for the SAARC Summit in 2016.Prime Minister Modi accepted the invitation," the statement said.
"Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and agreed to cooperate with each other to eliminate this menace from South Asia."
They also agreed on the following steps to be taken by the two sides: A meeting in New Delhi between the two NSAs to discuss all issues connected to terrorism.
Early meetings of DG BSF and DG Pakistan Rangers followed by that of DGMOs.
Decision for release of fishermen in each other’s custody, along with their boats, within a period of 15 days.
Mechanism for facilitating religious tourism.
Both sides agreed to discuss ways and means to expedite the Mumbai case trial, including additional information like providing voice samples.
"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated his invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Pakistan for the SAARC Summit in 2016.Prime Minister Modi accepted the invitation," the statement said.
Reports quoted Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar as saying that India and Pakistan have also decided to find ways of expediting the 26/11 Mumbai terror trial.
Additional evidence, including voice samples, will be sent to Pakistan, he said.
According to Pakistan, the evidence submitted so far by India including that against 26/11 plotter Zaki-ur-Rahman Lakhvi is insufficient.
Lakhvi was recently released from a Pakistan jail triggering outrage in India.
PM Modi and Nawaz Sharif had met informally at a dinner hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday night.
The Friday's formal meeting took place a day after Pakistani forces violated ceasefire again at the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir in which a BSF jawan was killed.
India called off a dialogue between foreign secretaries in August, last year after Pakistan's envoy in New Delhi had engaged with Kashmiri separatists in the run-up to those talks.
Modi and Sharif last met in Kathmandu in November, 2014, though it is not considered a proper bilateral meeting.
Prime Minister Modi then reached out to Sharif by wishing him at the beginning of the holy month of Ramzan and the meeting on the sidelines of BRICS summit was fixed.
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