Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on Monday had a "casual meeting" on the sidelines of the Climate Summit here, warmly shaking hands before sitting down for a brief chat, amidst a chill in bilateral ties.
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 meeting Prime Minister Modi, Sharif told Pakistani media that his country attaches highest significance to its principled stance.
"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.
"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.
"If both the sides are on agreeing terms, then its not
possible that the talks and discussions are not taken ahead,"
Sharif added.