If blasts continue, talks cannot be heard: India tells Pakistan

Sushma Swaraj briefed media persons after assuming office as External Affairs Minister

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told Nawaz Sharif, his Pakistan counterpart, New Delhi was willing to talk to Islamabad on all bilateral issues, but this was only possible when Pakistan agreed not to allow its soil to be used for attacks on India.

"If blasts continue, the talks cannot be heard; if these stop, we can hear each other clearly," Swaraj said.

She was talking to reporters after officially assuming charge on Wednesday. She had, however, started working as foreign minister from Tuesday, assisting Modi in bilateral talks with South Asian leaders.

Swaraj said India had sought a speedy trial in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case and Pakistan had given an assurance this would be expedited.

In Islamabad, Sharif's advisor on national security and foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, said both sides had also discussed the Kashmir issue at Tuesday's 50-minute meeting. "Pakistan has a clear stance on Kashmir, as without its resolution, the objective of long-lasting peace cannot be achieved," Aziz told a news conference in Islamabad. He added both countries had agreed to resolve all issues through dialogue and cooperation.

Aziz, along with other officials, had accompanied Sharif to New Delhi to attend a ceremony marking the swearing-in of the new government.

Aziz, who heads the foreign ministry and is considered close to Sharif, emphasised there was a clear recognition of each other's concerns, adding the outcome of the meeting was much better than what the Pakistani delegation had expected.

Sharif stressed the need for furthering the dialogue process, in the light of the Lahore Declaration of 1999. During his visit, Sharif did not meet Kashmiri separatist Hurriyat representatives, nor did he mention Kashmir in his pre-departure statement.

Aziz said both countries had agreed to work together to eliminate terrorism.

During the meeting, Modi had voiced India's concern on terrorism originating from Pakistan. Aziz said various issues, including the Mumbai attacks and the Samjhauta Express incident, were discussed, as were confidence-building measures and an improvement in bilateral trade.

Aziz also said Modi and Sharif had agreed their foreign secretaries would meet to resume talks and further the peace process between the two countries.