New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif met here Tuesday and discussed bilateral issues, their meeting lasting longer than expected, officials said.
The meeting at the Hyderabad House began half hour late because Modi’s earlier interaction with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa also consumed more time.
No details of the Sharif-Modi or Rajapaksa-Modi meetings were available.
Sharif said earlier Monday while visiting the Jama Masjid in Old Delhi that he had come to India to “build better ties”.
When the Pakistani leader reached the stately Hyderabad House, Modi received him with warmth, clasping his hands for a few moments as the two leaders posed for photographs.
Later Nawaz Sharif said that he had an “excellent” meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
“I had an excellent meeting” with Modi, Sharif told CNN-IBN television. “We are positive. (I look) forward to a positive outcome.”
Sharif, who attended Modi’s swearing in ceremony here Monday, said he wished the Modi government “all the best”.