Pakistan ready for talks with India without preconditions: Nawaz Sharif

VALLETTA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has indicated that Pakistan is ready for a dialogue with India without pre-conditions for sustainable peace, according to Pakistani TV channel Geo News.

Sharif is said to have given this indication during a meeting with his British counterpart David Cameron on the sidelines of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) here yesterday.

The channel reported that Sharif said Pakistan intends to maintain friendly relations with all its neighbours including India and Afghanistan.

Ties have been strained between the two neighbours over border firing and a series of ceasefire violations. Talks between National Security Advisors of the two countries were cancelled in August because of a dispute over the agenda.

India wanted to discuss terror attacks and Pakistan insisted on raising Kashmir.

The Pakistani Prime Minister told Cameron that Pakistan was deeply saddened by the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and that his country, itself being victim of terrorism, could feel the pain of French people.

The two leaders expressed long term commitment to work together for greater security and prosperity of their countries.

Both prime ministers reaffirmed their commitment to work in partnership for countering the shared threats of terrorism, organised crime and illegal migration, the report said.

It said Sharif and Cameron agreed to continue close collaboration in diverse fields particularly trade, investment and security and the British Prime Minister lauded Pakistan's efforts in eradication of militancy and extremism.