India today asked Pakistan to expedite the trial of the accused in the Mumbai terror attack case and ensure their conviction. In a meeting with his Pakistiani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told him Islamabad must abide by its commitment to control terrorism emanating from its soil against India.
Later, briefing reporters, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh said, during the meeting, Mr. Modi also expressed concern over terrorism. She said India's concerns over terror were clearly articulated during the meeting.
Replying to a question whether Kashmir issue was discussed in Modi-Sharif meet or not, Ms Singh said that the Foreign Secretaries of both the countries will be in touch to how best to move forward.
She also said Mr Modi has accepted the invitation of all SAARC leaders including Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to visit their countries.
The meeting, which was held at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, lasted for about an hour. It came days after Indian consulate in Herat Afghanistan was attacked by terrorists which Afghan President Karzai has said was the handiwork of Lashkar-e-Toiba. The meeting was also held in the backdrop of continued ceasefire violations across the LoC in recent past.
Mr Sharif visited historic Jama Masjid in Walled city.
In an interview to a private TV channel, Mr Sharif said that he wants the two countries to begin with picking up threads from where he and Vajpayee left off in 1999.
Mr Modi held bilateral discussions with leaders of other SAARC nations also. He met Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala. Mr Modi also met Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Karzai, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom also held meetings President Pranab Mukkherjee.
