We are pleased to see desire and willingness on both sides to come together.

The visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Lahore and the talks with Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on 5 January are a good start and an important step towards now improving relations between India and Pakistan in a lasting way.

We utterly condemn the terrorist attacks on the Indian air force base in Pathankot and on the Indian Consulate‑General in Mazar‑e‑Sharif. The responsible parties must be identified and held accountable.

The attacks and other attempts to sabotage the dialogue must not be allowed to endanger the rapprochement.