Pakistan should take action against terror before talks: Modi

In a stern message directed at Pakistan at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek on Friday, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said that countries sponsoring, aiding and supporting terrorism must be held accountable. India stands for a terrorism-free society, he said, reports NDTV.

Underscoring the aim of the SCO to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism, Modi called for a global conference to combat it.

Countries would have to come out of their narrow purview to unite against terrorism to fight it, Modi said in the presence of his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan.

During his bilateral meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit on Thursday, Modi reiterated India’s stand that Pakistan should take concrete action against terror before talks can resume.

‘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,’ Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale quoted Modi as telling president Xi.

Meanwhile, Pakistan prime minister while addressing a meeting of SCO summit said that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all forms including state terrorism against people under illegal occupation, reports Dawn online.

‘We are among the few countries to have successfully turned the tide against terrorism,’ Imran stated, adding, ‘Pakistan remains ready to share its experience and expertise in counter-terrorism. We will also remain actively engaged in SCO’s counter-terrorism initiatives.’

Imran Khan on Friday held a meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO summit.

President Xi acknowledged Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts and its efforts to promote regional stability, the reports said.

Ahead of the summit, Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had written separate letters to their Indian counterparts, pushing for resumption of bilateral talks. After assuming office too, Imran Khan had written to Modi, seeking dialogue on all issues, including Kashmir.

But no bilateral interaction was scheduled between Modi and Imran Khan during the summit, where the two leaders are meeting for the first time since the cricketer-turned politician took over as the prime minister of Pakistan.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net