Behind the scenes, Pakistan’s military helped revive talks with India

“Modiji and others in government should steadfastly improve relationship with Pakistan and get rid of terrorism, which has been an issue between both the countries”, Advani said.

The inside story of the meeting between the premiers of Pakistan and Indian, Nawaz Sharif and Narendra Modi, are out now.

Modi must take Vajpayee’s initiative forward, Advani said.

The Indian prime minister’s visit had a positive impact in Pakistan and the opposition parties in Pakistan welcomed the visit and hoped that it will help in reducing tensions.

“His pre-poll regular belligerence and the post-poll abrupt bonhomie vis-a-vis Pakistan is a sad mismatch, indicative of a doublespeak”, they remarked.

But this month, they agreed to resume high-level talks that would cover peace and security as well as territorial disputes, including over Kashmir.

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

“Meetings of PMs through business associates undermine the detente process and raise questions of conflict of interest”, he tweeted. However, over 100 other members of the delegations stayed at the Allama Iqbal International Airport. India has accused Pakistan of using terrorism to achieve its foreign policy goals, while the latter has said normal relations can only be restored when Kashmir’s status is resolved.

“Yes, absolutely. I am here”, Modi replied, according to the official.

Modi’s visit was seen very important ahead of the resumption of the official dialogue between the two countries next month after a break of almost eight year.

The New York Times saw the move as part of Mr Modi’s “personal diplomacy and diplomatic dance but wrote PM Modi wanted to send a strong message over shift in his approach for Pakistan”. Modi too showed warmth, also touched the feet of Nawaz Sharif’s mother taking her blessings. Its leaders, however, characterised it as one of PM’s “pleasant surprises”.

A brief meeting on November 30 between the two leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations climate summit in Paris, followed by talks between their national security advisers in Bangkok, appeared to have broken the ice.

This was Modi’s first visit to Pakistan and the first by an Indian prime minister in 12 years.

Mistrust between India and Pakistan runs deep.

Modi had left for Moscow in Air India One, meant for the PM’s foreign travels, he arrived in Kabul and Lahore in an Indian Air Force plane which was escorted by a decoy plane and was also laced with defence systems.