Pak must take 'concrete action' against terrorism for peace talks: PM Modi to Jinping at SCO Summit

PM Modi said during his talks with Xi Jinping in Bishkek, Pakistan needs to create atmosphere free of terror.

PM Modi met Chinese Premier Xi Jinping at sidelines of SCO Summit in Bishkek/ Image tweeted by@narendramodi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a brief discussion on Pakistan in their talks, held on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Kyrgyz Capital Bishkek, wherein Modi raised the issue of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. PM Modi highlighted during the talks that Pakistan failed to create an atmosphere of trust and said India expects "concrete action" by Islamabad to create an atmosphere free of terror for the resumption of dialogue. Briefing the reporters after the meeting, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said that there was a brief discussion on Pakistan during the talks between the two leaders. He said India has a consistent position with respect to Pakistan that it wants peaceful relations with Islamabad. Gokhale said Prime Minister Modi told President Xi that he has made efforts to improve ties with Islamabad but these efforts have been "derailed". "Pakistan needs to create an atmosphere free of terror, but at this stage we do not see it happening. We expect Islamabad to take concrete action" to resume talks, Gokhale quoted the prime minister as telling President Xi. “There was a brief discussion on Pakistan. PM recalled that he has made efforts and these efforts have been derailed, that Pakistan needs to create atmosphere free of terror and at this stage we do not see this happening. We expect it to take concrete action,” Gokhale was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. He said: “PM noted what had improved between two sides is strategic communication and in that context,we have been able to resolve long pending issues like opening of Bank of China branch in India and issue related to listing of Masood Azhar”. After the talks, PM Modi said he had an extremely fruitful meeting with the Chinese President. “Our talks included the full spectrum of India-China relations. We shall continue working together to improve economic and cultural ties between our nations,” he said. Pakistan PM Imran Khan is also in Bishkek to attending the SCO summit. Though Ministry of External Affairda has ruled out any formal or bilateral talks between Modi and Khan, the two leaders will be face-to-face in the night during dinner hosted by the Kyrgyz President. This will be the first time, when PM Modi and Imran Khan will be present under the same roof. Tensions between the two countries worsened after the Pulwama terror attack and both the countries were almost on the brink of a war after India's military planes struck a terrorist training camp in Pakistan's Balakot on February 26 and Pakistan carried out a counter-offensive the next day. On May 26, breaking the ice in bilateral ties, Khan spoke to Modi congratulating him on the massive electoral victory in the general elections and expressing his desire to work with him towards the advancing the objective of peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia. Modi on his part called for creating trust and an environment free of violence and terrorism for fostering peace and prosperity in the region.