Kathmandu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with leaders of four South Asian nations on the sidelines of 18th SAARC Summit in Kathmandu on Wednesday, but the conspicuous absence from the meeting list was Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
He held talks with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgey and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani.
Officially, there was no meeting planned between Mr Modi and Mr Shraif as of Wednesday. However, it is expected that both leaders may meet during the retreat in a nearby hill station, Dhulikhel, on Thursday morning.
"We have not received any request from Pakistan," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.
In his meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mr Modi thanked him for pardoning and sending back five Indian fishermen earlier this month, according to Mr Akbaruddin.
Rajapaksa also welcomed the initiative taken by India for develop and launch satellite dedicated to SAARC.
In his meeting with Mr Ghani, Mr Modi committed to strengthening relations with Afghanistan.
Regarding the meeting with Hasina, Akbaruddin said: "India, Bangladesh prime ministers see grater prospects of cooperation amongst democracies of South Asia."
After meeting with Modi, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tobgey said that he held his first bilateral meeting with the Indian leader.
"A lot to discuss, especially how to take Saarc forward after his powerful speech today," Tobgey said
During the meeting, Modi had appreciated Bhutan National Reading Year 2015 and committed to send experts who organized 'Gujurat is Reading' to the Himalayan nation.
Modi also invited the Bhutanese leader to visit Gujarat.
During Thursday's retreat, the leaders will spend over two hours in informal talks. Modi also held talks with Nepali Prime Minister Sushil Koirala who was elected as Saarc chair Wednesday.
Other regional leaders are also meeting each other on the sidelines of the summit.
He held talks with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgey and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani.
Officially, there was no meeting planned between Mr Modi and Mr Shraif as of Wednesday. However, it is expected that both leaders may meet during the retreat in a nearby hill station, Dhulikhel, on Thursday morning.
In his meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mr Modi thanked him for pardoning and sending back five Indian fishermen earlier this month, according to Mr Akbaruddin.
Advertisement
In his meeting with Mr Ghani, Mr Modi committed to strengthening relations with Afghanistan.
Advertisement
After meeting with Modi, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tobgey said that he held his first bilateral meeting with the Indian leader.
Advertisement
During the meeting, Modi had appreciated Bhutan National Reading Year 2015 and committed to send experts who organized 'Gujurat is Reading' to the Himalayan nation.
Advertisement
During Thursday's retreat, the leaders will spend over two hours in informal talks. Modi also held talks with Nepali Prime Minister Sushil Koirala who was elected as Saarc chair Wednesday.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Committed To Strengthen Nepal-India Relations": Newly Appointed PM KP Sharma Oli KP Sharma Oli Takes Oath As Nepal PM After Prachanda Loses Trust Vote PM Modi Congratulates Nepali PM K P Sharma Oli On His Third Term Win Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai UP Banker Dies By Suicide After 6 Months Of Bullying, Body-Shaming Major Crackdown Launched On Terror Network In J&K After Doda Encounter UK's New Government Vows To Remove 92 Unelected Peers From Upper House EU's Carbon Tax Could Cost India 0.05% Of GDP: Report Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.