Meeting between Modi, Sharif ends in a 'cordial atmosphere'

The much anticipated bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif has ended in Ufa in Russia. The meeting which was scheduled for 45 minutes was slightly extended and went for nearly an hour.

Sources in Pakistan say that the meeting ended in a "cordial atmosphere". Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar is schedule to brief about the talks soon.

While the details of meeting are yet to be known, sources had said that at least 5 agreements are expected to be signed by the two leaders.

Three-year multiple entry visas are likely to be given to Pakistan businessmen. Multiple entry visas are also likely to be given to bus travellers on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route and Delhi-Lahore route.

Sources had also said that slow pace of 26/11 trial and trade with Pakistan will top the Indian agenda for the talks. Pakistan realises that harping on Kashmir with Modi government is a futile attempt, say sources.

The two leaders shook hands and posed for photographers before settling down for delegation-level talks. Indian delegation included National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Jaishankar while Sartaj Aziz, Sharif's advisor on foreign affairs and national security, was in the Pakistani delegation.