Paris

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif met here today on the sidelines of the UN climate summit, with the Indian side describing the encounter as a “brief exchange of courtesies”, but Pakistanis terming it as a “good” meeting.

Modi and Sharif had a brief meeting during which they warmly held hands before sitting down for a chat amidst frosty ties between the two neighbours.

Downplaying the chance encounter, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, “this was a brief exchange of courtesies in the Leaders Lounge. Prime Minister meets many Heads of State/Government.”

After his meeting with Modi, Sharif told Pakistani media that the talks were held in a “good way, in a good environment”.

“I had good discussions with the Indian Prime Minister in a good way, in a good environment and even they have expressed that we should take our issues forward. And we also have the same opinion and hope,” he said.

“Pakistan desires better bilateral relations with India,” he said.

“We want peace without any compromise on the dignity and honour of Pakistan,” Geo TV quoted Sharif as saying.

He also favoured resumption of talks with India.

“If both the sides are on agreeing terms, then its not possible that the talks and discussions are not taken ahead,” Sharif added.

Earlier, the Spokesperson had tweeted, “PM @narendramodi meets PM Nawaz Sharif at COP 21 in Paris,” along with a picture of the two leaders shaking hands.

The meeting is the first between the two leaders after July when they met in the Russian city of Ufa and agreed that their National Security Advisors would meet. However, the meeting did not take place amidst a blame game between the two countries.

Sources sought to differentiate the bilateral meeting Modi had with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from the brief chat the Prime Minister had with Sharif.

“Whether Kuala Lumpur or Paris, Tokyo or New York always time for good friend PM @AbeShinzo,” Swarup tweeted after a meeting between Modi and Abe.

PTI