Dunya News-Modi, Sharif talks conclude: India 'stresses' counter terrorism, trade

ndia s new Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to crack down on militant groups on Tuesday, while stressing his desire for better relations and trade, the foreign ministry said.
Modi "underlined our concerns related to terrorism," Indian foreign secretary Sujatha Singh said in a statement after talks between the leaders of the nuclear-armed rivals in New Delhi.
"We want peaceful and friendly relations with Pakistan, however for such relations to proceed it is important that terror and violence is brought to an end," Singh said.
She added that Modi conveyed that Islamabad needed to "abide by its commitment to prevent its territory and territory it controls being used to stage terror attacks on India".
"There was discussion on trade and we noted that we were fully ready to fully normalise trade and economic relations. Both prime ministers expressed their interest in having this done as early as possible," Singh said.
Modi held bilateral meetings on Tuesday with eight regional leaders who attended his swearing-in ceremony on Monday, including Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse and Pakistan s Sharif.