Sushma Swaraj says PM has acted like a statesman

Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, who accompanied Modi to Lahore, met his Pakistani counterpart in Bangkok earlier this month, to be followed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Islamabad.

The last visit to Pakistan by an Indian prime minister was in 2004 by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose 91st birthday fell today and who is credited with bringing about a thaw in relations with Islamabad.

Modi was on his way home after a visit to Russian Federation.

Modi presented an Indian dress to Sharif’s granddaughter Meherun Nisa whose marriage ceremony is scheduled later in the day. Upon the arrival, Sharif introduced his family members to Modi.

Upon returning to New Delhi, the Indian PM said that he was deeply touched by Prime Minister Nawaz Sahrif’s gesture of welcoming him and accompanying him at Lahore airport when he left. He also presented a gift (traditional dresses) to Sharif’s grand daughter over her marriage.

The Prime Minister visited Moscow for the India-Russia Summit – an event that is being held annually since 2000.

He also tweeted earlier that he spoke to PM Nawaz and wished his birthday wishes.

He will meet Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his short layover in Lahore while en route to New Delhi from Afghanistan. This is Modi’s first visit to Pakistan and we welcome this decision of the PM.

The Pakistan Air Force presented a guard of honour for Modi. “The Prime Ministers discuss #IndiaPakistan relations in Raiwind”, the official MEAhandle tweeted, posting photos of the meeting.

Ahead of his address, he and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani jointly inaugurated Afghanistan’s new parliament building which was constructed with Indian assistance of $90 million.

The meeting gains significance as it comes two weeks after the South Asian nations agreed to restart peace talks that have stalled since Modi took office. However, the meeting didn’t last long.

He also presented Indian shawls to Sharif’s wife Kulsoom Nawaz. Modi reached Kabul early on Friday after a two-day visit to Russian Federation. “It is imperative that people of both the countries welcome this development”, Kulkarni, who visited Pakistan after Kasuri’s Mumbai visit, said.

As expected, on Friday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress Party reacted differently to the news of the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan meeting at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal Airport.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin during press statement in Kremlin, Moscow on Thursday.

Imran said that improvement in Pak-India relations was inevitable for sustainable and durable peace in the region.