PM Modi meets Pakistan PM Sharif: 5 takeaways from Indo-Pak joint statement

NEW DELHI: Signalling a move forward on ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif on Friday met and exchanged views on issues of bilateral and regional interest.

According to the joint statement issued by the two countries, "They agreed that India and Pakistan have a collective responsibility to ensure peace and promote development. To do so, they are prepared to discuss all outstanding issues." "Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and agreed to cooperate with each other to eliminate this menace from South Asia," the statement added.

They also agreed on steps to be taken by the two sides. We take a look at five key takeaways from the joint statement:

1) A meeting in New Delhi will be held between the two NSAs to discuss all issues connected to terrorism.

2) Early meetings of DG BSF and DG Pakistan Rangers will be followed by that of DGMOs.

3) Decision was taken for release of fishermen in each other's custody, along with their boats, within a period of 15 days.

4) Mechanism for facilitating religious tourism.

5) Both sides agreed to discuss ways and means to expedite the Mumbai case trial, including additional information like providing voice samples.

Sharif reiterated his invitation to PM Modi to visit Pakistan for the SAARC Summit in 2016, which the latter accepted. The leaders met on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Ufa.