New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his first day at work by meeting all the seven SAARC leaders on Tuesday. Modi started with meeting Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and ended the day of bilateral talks with meeting Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.
The key meeting of them all was Modi's meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, which was delayed by 20 minutes as the latter visited Jama Masjid and Red Fort. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was also present at the meeting.
Sources say that in the meeting that lasted for 40 minutes, India conveyed its concerns on terrorism strongly to Pakistan. All issues of security including Hafiz Saeed and Dawood Ibrahim figured in the talks, say sources.
Sources say Modi also raised issue of the attack on the consulate in Herat and that Afghanistan President had pointed fingers towards the Lashkar-e-Toiba.
Sharif said, "The meeting with Narendra Modi was excellent. We are positive. We are looking forward to a positive outcome."
Even though no joint statement by the two leaders is expected, Sharif is likely to address the media soon.
Earlier on Monday, Modi shared an excerpt of the conversation he had with Sharif on Twitter. Modi tweeted saying that the visuals of him meeting his mother Hiraben had left Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz and his mother emotional. Modi said that Sharif told him that he visits his mother once a week in Islamabad.
Sharif's son Hussain had on Tuesday said, "After Nawaz Sharif's departure to Hyderabad House, I'm very hopeful of the outcome. And everyone should be optimistic about the future of Indo-Pakistan relationship."
Another crucial meeting was with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Even though BJP allies in Tamil Nadu protested against the invitation sent to Rajapaksa, Modi went ahead with it. On Monday, BJP ally Vaiko even held a protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capital and was detained as he defied prohibitory orders.
Modi started the bilateral talk by first meeting Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. According to sources, the duo discussed the attack on the Indian Consulate in Herat and Karzai held the Lashkar-e-Toiba responsible for the attack.
Modi also met Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala.
Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said, "We have decided to provide automatic exchange of tax information with India."
The leaders visited India to attend Modi's swearing-in ceremony as the 15th Prime Minister on Monday.
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