India PM Modi in surprise Pakistan visit

Pakistan also confirmed Modi’s visit to the eastern city of Lahore where he will meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif.

The last visit to Pakistan by an Indian prime minister was in 2004 by then leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is credited with bringing about a thaw in relations with Islamabad.

This surprise visit comes on PM Nawaz Sharif’s birthday, which Modi wished him earlier today via telephone.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is among those accompanying Modi, who later took off in a helicopter with Sharif for talks at his ancestral house near Lahore. Areas surrounding the airport have additional security measures implemented. “At this moment, I can think of beheaded Hemraj”, said JD(U) leader KC Tyagi.

In a major surprise, Modi will be flying to Lahore this afternoon, his first touchdown in Pakistan, where he will meet his counterpart Nawaz Sharif.

“Heads of state don’t drop in to give Christmas or birthday greetings, particularly when you have such a history of complex issues between the two countries. We would have welcomed it”, Anand Sharma, a Congress Party spokesman said.

The visit took everyone by surprise in India and Pakistan. Raging violence in Kashmir has claimed tens of thousands of lives since 1989.

What does this visit mean for Indian-Pakistani relations? BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said Modi had sent out a message about closer regional cooperation when he had taken the oath of office and his visit should be welcomed. “We hope that Pakistan will also remain steadfast on its stand on Kashmir issue”.