Modi, Sharif begin talks in Ufa

July 10, 2015 10:08

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold formal bilateral talks with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif today on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet in Ufa in Russia.

Both the Indian and Pakistani foreign offices have confirmed that the talks will take place at 9:15 am. The two leaders met informally at a dinner last night.

Sources indicate that the discussions are not necessarily a prelude to a resumption of the dialogue process between the two countries, a decision on which will take place after New Delhi gauges Islamabad's response in the talks today.

According to the Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah, "It has always been (Pakistan) Prime Minister's policy to seek cordial and cooperative ties with all neighbouring countries including India. It was in the pursuit of this objective that the Prime Minister would be meeting the Indian Prime Minister for a comprehensive exchange on all issues of common interest."

During the meeting, Modi is expected to voice concerns over cross-border terrorism and discuss the state of bilateral ties and their future direction.

Sharif himself parried questions on how hopeful he was about on Friday's meeting. "Let us first talk. Then I will talk to you".

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