THE SHARIF WAY TO RESOLVE ISSUES!

• Indian and Pakistani premiers agree on resumption of trade between two countries, foreign secretaries-level meetings
• PM Sharif says both countries should change confrontation into cooperation as accusations and counter-accusations would be counter-productive
• Indian foreign secretary says Modi has accepted invitation by SAARC leaders, dates yet to be finalised
• Indian media says Modi raised India’s concerns over cross-border terrorism with Sharif

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday that he had urged his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for working together to change “confrontation into cooperation” for the betterment of the people of the two countries.

He said they discussed trade, bilateral ties and agreed on a meeting of their foreign secretaries to review and carry forward their bilateral agenda

Attired in a black suit and red tie, the premier warmly shook hands with Modi who was attired in a beige Nehru jacket. The leaders gave a big smile to the awaiting cameras, before being ushered in for the talks at the Deccan Suite.

The scheduled 35-minute meeting between the two leaders held at the Hyderabad House was stretched to a 50-minutes discussion, reflecting a desire by both the sides to move forward.

Adviser to PM on National Security Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Secretary to the Prime Minister Javaid Aslam and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit accompanied the prime minster as he met the Indian side led by Prime Minister Modi.

LET’S BE MORE PRODUCTIVE:

Speaking about his meeting, PM Sharif said that he impressed upon the Indian PM that accusations and counter-accusations would be counter-productive.

The premier said he had a good and constructive meeting with Modi where they agreed that the New Delhi meeting should be a historic opportunity for both the countries.

Sharif said that he pointed out to his Indian counterpart that both of them were beginning their respective tenure with a clear mandate which provided them an opportunity of meeting hopes and aspirations of the people. He hoped that together they would succeed in turning a new page in bilateral relations so as to focus on wellbeing and welfare of the people.

ON MAKING THE REGION MORE STABLE:

The prime minister said that he recalled to the Indian leader that he invited then Indian prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to Lahore in February 1999 and that he intended to pick up the threads from where they were left.

Sharif said that he told Modi that they have a common agenda of development and economic revival, which was not possible to achieve without peace and stability in the region.

The prime minister said he urged the Indian PM to work together to rid the region of instability and insecurity that has plagued the region for decades.

“We should, therefore, work together for peace, progress and prosperity,” he said, adding, “We owe it to our people to overcome the legacy of mistrust and misgivings.”

Sharif said that during the meeting, both sides agreed that common objectives could be facilitated by greater people-to-people exchanges at all levels. He said that Modi warmly reciprocated his sentiments and remarked that his visit was seen as a special gesture by the people of India.

Sharif said he agreed with Modi that foreign secretaries of the two countries would be meeting soon to review and carry forward bilateral agenda in the spirit of New Delhi meeting of the prime ministers.

MEETING THE INDIAN PRESIDENT:

The prime minister said he also had a warm and friendly exchange of words during a meeting with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi.

Sharif said he was leaving New Delhi with a strong sense that the leadership and people of the two countries share desire and mutual commitment to carry forward the relationship for the larger good of the people.

INDIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY SPEAKS:

Briefing the media about the meeting, Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh said the talks were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere and both the sides agreed that the foreign secretaries of the two countries will remain in touch and discuss the way forward.

The Indian foreign secretary acknowledged that invitations for visit to Indian Prime Minister Modi have been extended by all the leaders including Prime Minister Sharif, and added that all these have been accepted. However dates for the visit were yet to be decided.

Sujatha said that both sides also agreed on early resumption of trade. She said the two countries needed to move ahead on the roadmap agreed upon by both the countries in September 2012. She said for enhancement of trade, the Wagha-Atari border needed to be opened as the first step for the commencement of full trade while other steps would follow.

MODI STRESSES ANTI-TERROR ACTION:

Meanwhile, Indian media reported that Prime Minister Modi had conveyed India’s deep concerns relating to terrorism to Prime Minister Sharif, and made it clear to him that Islamabad must abide by its commitment to prevent its territory and areas under its control from being used for terrorist acts against India.

Indian media reports said that Modi had told Sharif that India expected Pakistan to take the necessary steps to expedite the trial in the cases relating to the November 26, 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai to ensure that those guilty are punished.