Foreign Secys meet on Jan 15 to draw roadmap for dialogue

China also welcomed the surprise meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Lahore, saying improvement in Indo-Pak ties is significant for regional peace, stability and development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sudden visit to Lahore on December 25 left many surprised in India as well as in Pakistan. The objective of the programme was to spread awareness among students that the disabled people too can live a normal life without depending on anyone and how they are at the receiving end of undue discrimination. “To that extent, it is a good move”, the general said. The two leaders are seen walking hand-in-hand, both grinning. At such a notice, the Indian delegation had to land in Lahore without visas from Kabul.

Talking of the advantages of direct benefit transfer schemes, PM Modi said, “Subsidy is reaching people directly under the world’s largest direct benefit transfer scheme”.

Sharif hugged Modi after he landed at the airport in the eastern city of Lahore and the two left by helicopter for Sharif’s nearby family estate.

A senior Indian official in New Delhi also said military backing for peace talks marked a major change, with Janjua’s involvement as NSA a key sign that the military establishment supports resuming the dialogue.

The talks are likely to result in “tangible outcomes” before Modi visits Islamabad for the SAARC Summit which Pakistan is believed to be hosting in October-November, 2016. And the success of Modi’s personal diplomacy with Pakistan will be tested against this complex background, Jegannathan said.

Pakistan described Modi’s stopover here as a “goodwill visit” and said the two leaders discussed about the comprehensive dialogue which the two countries have recently chose to start. “As PM, he must (be) allowed risky decisions since buck stops with him”.

The Government may come up with tax breaks, more incubation centres and easier approval process as part of the action plan to boost start-up ecosystem in India.

“It is the right step in the right direction”, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said from his hospital bed in Delhi where he is admitted. His connect was excellent when he was not the prime minister.

Rashid said war is no solution to any dispute which could be resolved through talks. We hope that it is followed by a consistent policy of engagement to resolve the Kashmir dispute.

A source at Sharif’s Jati Umrah residence told PTI that Sharif had donned the “Indian Rajasthani pink turban” gifted to him by Modi during the Indian premier’s visit on Friday. Modi and Sharif talked for about 90 minutes and shared an early evening meal before the Indian leader flew back home.