India, Pakistan To Hold FS-Level Talks On January 15

Aziz said except reaction from some quarters in India the visit of Prime Minister Modi had been welcomed by majority of the people in the two countries as well as the global community.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wore on Sunday a pink turban gifted to him by his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, for his granddaughter’s wedding.

He, however, cautioned against unrealistic expectations from the dialogue process and said early progress on some issues is likely while it would take time for the others.

And during his visit, PM Modi apparently told Sharif – “jung bahut karli”. He told reporters that Prime Minister Modi emphasised on the necessity of regional peace during his meeting with Premier Sharif. But his impromptu plan to visit Lahore sent the security into action, which managed Modi’s visit with aplomb. He said only the Indian PM and 11 of his personal staff members were given a 72-hour visa, and that the full immigration process was followed in this regard.

The Prime Minister appreciated his services for improving ties between the two countries as Raghavan was lucky to see revival of dialogue and a visit by Indian Prime Minister.

“What needs to be remembered is that there is an orthodox belief that in the past, no politician who has tried to get too close to Pakistan has been able to remain in politics for long”.

Responding to a point raised by Leader of the Opposition Aitzaz Ahsan, the Advisor said no secret meeting was held between Pak-Indian prime ministers at Kathmandu.

The Minister said there is also proposal for installation of biometric devices at border entry-exit points besides weighing of trucks carrying goods under Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade.

The Narendra Modi government in New Delhi has said in a statement that foreign secretaries of both countries will meet in Islamabad mainly to discuss modalities and schedule for various items under the Composite Dialogue.

The meeting in late March between the two prime ministers will give them a chance to review the progress of that dialogue, sources added.

It was also decided in that meeting that the foreign secretaries would deliberate upon a 10-point agenda, including peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir, Sircreek, anit- terrorism, anti-narcotics and other issues.