Meeting with Modi is a historic event: Nawaz Sharif

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressed Indian media on Tuesday afternoon right before he left for his country. Sharif said he was “pleased and privileged” to be here in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.

 “I had a good and constructive meeting with PM Narendra Modi. My meeting in New Delhi should be a historic opportunity for both the countries,” Nawaz Sharif said.

“We cannot achieve the common goal of development without peace and stability. We will have to alter confrontation into cooperation. We will have to overcome the legacy of mistrust and misgivings,” he said.

Sharif earlier met former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee who has initiated the peace process between the two countries.

“I recalled to PM Modi my invitation to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999. I intend to pick up threads of Lahore declaration” Sharif said, “India and Pakistan will have to overcome the legacy of mistrust and misgivings. Accusations and counter accusations will not be productive for both nations:”

He also said that the foreign secretaries of both the countries will meet soon to carry forward bilateral agenda.

“My government stands ready to discuss with India all issues in a spirit of co-operation,” Sharif said.

Indian Foreign SecretarySujatha Singh said, “India wants peaceful and friendly relations with Pakistan. But to proceed further, terror and violence should be brought under control.”

In the meeting PM Narendra Modi raised several bilateral issues with Nawaz Sharif including cross-border terrorism, delay in the 26/11 Mumbai attack trial and border ceasefire violations by Pakistani military forces.

Both the countries have agreed to push for frequent bilateral talks to resolve all pending issues.

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