New Delh: Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said the joint statement issued by India and Pakistan in Russia was a "step forward" in normalizing bilateral relations.

He also said that meetings between the Border Security Force of India with its Pakistani counterpart would help stabilise the situation on the India-Pakistan border.

"The joint statement at Ufa shows signs of positive movement. The engagement at different levels will hopefully open new possibilities," the minister said in a tweet.

"The joint statement is a step forward towards normalizing bilateral relations. However the future outcome will be keenly watched," he said.

The minister also welcomed the decision to expedite the trials of Pakistanis involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

Prime Ministers Narendra Modi of India and Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan met for around an hour on the sidelines of the BRICS summit at Ufa, Russia, on Friday.

(IANS)