PM Modi, Nawaz Sharif agree to cooperate to eliminate terrorism from South Asia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, who held bilateral talks in Ufa, Russia, have agreed to cooperate with each other to eliminate terrorism from South Asia, noting that both sides have a collective responsibility to ensure peace.

The Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan, S Jaishankar and Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, briefed the media after the bilateral talks ended.

"The Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan met on the sidelines of the SCO in Ufa. The meeting was held in a cordial manner. The leaders exchanged views of matters of bilateral and regional interest. They agreed that India and Pakistan have a collective responsibility to ensure peace and promote development. To do so, they are prepared to discuss all outstanding issues. Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and agreed to cooperate with each other to eliminate this menace from South Asia," Chaudhry told the media.

"They also agreed on the following steps to be taken by the two sides. One: a meeting in New Delhi between the two NSAs to discuss all issues relating to terrorism. Two: meetings of DG BSF and DG Pakistan Rangers, followed by that of the DGMOs. Three: a decision for the release of fishermen in each others' custody, along with their boats within a period of 15 days. Four: a mechanism for felicitating religious tourism. And finally five: both sides agreed to discuss ways and means to expedite the Mumbai case trial, including additional information like providing voice samples," Jaishankar added.

The talks between Prime Minister Modi and Sharif took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).