UNITED NATIONS: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that his government is ready to hold talks with Pakistan for resolution of bilateral disputes but “without a shadow of terrorism”.

In his first address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday after taking over the power, Narendra Modi said that his country is willing to hold bilateral talks with Pakistan, however, the other side must show more ‘seriousness’ and create an “appropriate environment” for holding peace dialogue with their South Asian neighbours.

India says Pakistan supports separatist militants that cross the Line of Control – which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan controlled regions – from the Pakistan side to attack Indian forces.

Modi invited his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to his inauguration but India in August withdrew from planned talks between their foreign secretaries as Pakistan wanted to consult first with separatists in the disputed region of Kashmir.

In his UN address Friday, Nawaz criticised India’s withdrawal from the talks as a “missed opportunity.”

India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars over the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir since independence in 1947.INP