Narendra Modi, Nawaz Sharif handshake 'significant', says Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala

KATHMANDU: Nepalese Premier and host of the SAARC Summit Sushil Koirala today termed the handshake between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif as "significant".

Responding to queries at a media briefing organised after the closing ceremony of the 18th SAARC Summit here, Koirala said the meeting means a lot to the South Asian region.

Journalists had asked if it was Koirala who took personal initiatives to make Modi and Sharif meet each other.

"It is not important who initiated, rather what happened matters," answered Koirala, adding the gesture was "significant".

Koirala himself had briefed media about the Summit and answered questions, the Himalayan Times reported.

Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) spokesperson Khaganath Adhikari introduced the Kathmandu Declaration.