NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif briefed the media here on Tuesday about his meeting with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
Prime Minister Sharif described his meeting as good and constructive adding that it was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere. “We agreed that our meeting in New Delhi should be a historic opportunity for both our countries.”
Prime Minister Sharif told reporters that he pointed to Modi that they were both at the beginning of their respective tenures with a clear mandate. “This provides us the opportunity of meeting the hopes and aspirations of our peoples that we will succeed in turning a new page in our relations. The one and a half billion people of the two countries want us to focus on their well-being and welfare,” Prime Minister Sharif said.
During the meeting Prime Minister Sharif said he stressed to his Indian counterpart that they have a common agenda of development and economic revival which is not possible to achieve without peace and stability in the region. “I urged that together, we should rid the region of instability and insecurity that has plagued us for decades. Consequently, it was important for us to work together for peace, progress and prosperity.”
Prime Minister Sharif told reporters that he urged that both leaders had to strive to change confrontation into cooperation. Prime Minister Sharif emphasised that engaging in accusations and counter-accusations would be counter-productive.
Prime Minister Sharif said that his government was ready to discuss all issues between the countries in spirit of cooperation and sincerity.
“After all, we owe it to our people to overcome the legacy of mistrust and misgivings. We agreed that this common objective could be facilitated by greater people-to-people exchanges, at all levels,” Prime Minister Sharif said.
According to Prime Minister Sharif his Indian counterpart Modi warmly reciprocated his sentiments and remarked that his visit to New Delhi was seen as a special gesture by the people of India. Modi stated that it was incumbent on both of us to work together, to achieve our common objectives for peace and development.
“We also agreed that the two Foreign Secretaries would be meeting soon, to review and carry forward our bilateral agenda, in the spirit of our meeting today.”
Prime Minister also spoke of his meeting with Indian President Pranab Mukhrjee stating that he had warm and friendly exchanges with him.
“I take leave of this historic city. I do so with a strong sense that the leaderships and the peoples of our two countries share desire and mutual commitment to carry forward our relationship, for the larger good of our peoples,” Prime Minister Sharif said.