A glimmer of light in ties with Pakistan: BJP an Modi-Sharif meet

The party further stressed that Pakistan has for the first time accepted India's "definition" of terrorism

BJP today termed the outcome of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Nawaz Sharif as a "glimmer of light" in bilateral relationship, stressing that Pakistan has for the first time accepted India's "definition" of terrorism.

Speaking to reporters soon after the meeting between Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif ended, BJP spokesperson M J Akbar said it has provided an opportunity to take forward the relationship between the two countries.

He, however, was quick to prefix his most statements with the term "perhaps". The guarded response was an indication that the BJP, which is known for its hard line on ties with Pakistan, is hedging its bets.

"A word, an adjective is being used to describe the meeting which is 'breakthrough'. The reason for this is very clear... Perhaps there is a glimmer of light in the bilateral relationship. Perhaps there is an opportunity of taking the relationship forward," Akbar said.

For the first time, he said, Pakistan has accepted India's "definition of terrorism that terrorism in all its forms is unacceptable".

That is a change from the "nuanced game" Pakistan has played on the subject by differentiating between "good and bad terrorists", he said.

He also highlighted that Pakistan has agreed to expedite the trial of the accused in Mumbai terror case after pursuing for seven years its "barely disguised" policy of protecting terrorists charged with the crime.

"An important concession has been made by Pakistan," he said.

Pakistan has also accepted the voice samples, recording of conversation between terrorists and their Pak-based handlers during the terror attack, provided by India, he said.

Asked about Congress' criticism of the talks after a BSF jawan was killed at the LoC in Kashmir in firing from Pakistan, Akbar said he did not want to waste his time "on irrelevance".

Taking a dig at Congress leaders Manish Tewari and Mani Shankar Aiyar, he said BJP was not sure if the former was a party spokesperson and whether the latter was in the party or not.