Assam CM: PM is More Focused on Foreign Policy

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (L) walks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi after Modi’s arrival in Lahore on December 25.

Former Indian foreign secretary Salman Haider said meeting is hope of good relations between the two countries.

Sena leaders said that such “objectionable steps raise question on country’s image and credibility”. One of the first public signs of the visit came Friday morning when Modi, during a stop in the Afghan capital of Kabul, tweeted that he is “looking forward to meeting” Sharif in Lahore, “where I will drop by on my way back to Delhi”.

Modi is 150-moment surprise trip to Pakistan a week ago was initially in nearly 12 years by an Indian Prime Minister.

On Modi’s meetings with Pakistani Premier Nawaz Sharif at worldwide summits, they are asking why talks have been held outside the country when it should have been held in either of the country.

Modi’s optics have succeeded in convincing Pakistani leaders once again that a hardline BJP was more decisive than the Congress.

PM Modi received a warm welcome in Pakistan, where Nawaz Sharif personally received him at the airport and he was taken to Sharif’s residence.

“By keeping everyone in dark about the visit, your gaffe merited an apology to the country”, the party leaders added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced that the blueprint for “Start-up India, Stand-up India” will be launched on January 16.

Sartaj Aziz said the visit of Modi was a goodwill visit and it has been welcomed by majority of people in Pakistan and India as well as the worldwide community.

“Unexpected but welcome visit” by Modi to Lahore, said Richard N Hass, president, Council on Foreign Relations, a top USA think-tank.

Modi’s visit, though short, was full of bonhomie between the two PMs. It will take place a few days after the meeting of the foreign secretaries in Islamabad on January 15. In this context, I urge the states also to push this campaign.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947 and a lasting peace deal has so far proved elusive, with deadly violence still flaring in disputed Kashmir.

Congress prime ministers, right from Rajiv Gandhi to Narasimha Rao to Manmohan Singh, despite having agreed to settle issues like Siachen and Jammu and Kashmir, backed out because of indecision.