This was his second surprise trip in a day; his first destination was Kabul
Image Source: EPA
New Delhi: As dawn broke on Christmas, Prime Mister Modi set out on a journey to Kabul, Afghanistan, where he inaugurated the new Parliament building, ‘Atal Block’ and met with President Ashraf Ghani. With the second half of the day came the second leg of his journey, which landed him in Lahore, Pakistan. It was only a few hours after PM Modi had personally called upon Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif to wish him on his birthday. When PM Modi arrived in Lahore for high tea, BJP ministers continued to tweet about the primely opportune meet-up, while Congress leaders grumbled about Modi finding it unnecessary to take the country ‘into confidence’ before meeting its estranged half across the Indus.
Foreign Minister of India, Sushma Swaraj was quick to applaud the PM, saying,” That’s like a statesman. Padosi se aise hi rishte hone chahiya.” On the other hand, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said, ” This adventure of PM Modi is going to have serious implications on India’s national security.”
The spirit of spontaneity was bound to find the Prime Minister some serious critics, especially in its Opposition Party. Anand Sharma of the Congress said in a press conference, “PM has a habit of grabbing headlines. They think this will help him get the tag of a statesman. After visits to Russia and Kabul, he decided to go to Pakistan. Diplomacy should be serious and mature. It’s not a joke. Not only for news. Nation’s interest should be kept first. PM has no vision. He gave conflicting views. His whole Lok Sabha campaign was to attack Pakistan. In 18-19 months, sometimes they talk, sometimes they don’t.”
Image: Reuters
However, senior diplomats like Salman Haider were appreciative of the effort, seeing it as an encouragement towards better bilateral relations. PM Nawaz Sharif, who was at the Lahore airport to receive his Indian counterpart, hosted the Indian premier at his ancestral residence therein, where he was led to in a chopper. Seen as a very special gesture, it is also the location of Sharif’s grand-daughter’s wedding. Although the exact agenda behind the impromptu rendez-vous has not been made clear by authorities, both Primes Ministers seem to be on their way to co-operation, both within themselves as well as the entire South Asia.
At what can be considered a successful diplomatic talk, the JD(U) has expressed utter shock, while the CPI has congratulated the Prime Minister’s efforts. Moreover, former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah and current Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed have both called it a ‘step in the right direction’. The BJP has called it a prime day for such a meeting, as today is also the birthday of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. They have emphasized that this surprise stopover is ‘ a path-breaking departure from the protocol-driven politics between India and Pakistan’.
The improvement in the relationship between the bitter countries in recent times has been on a rollercoaster ride. In the meeting today, both countries agreed to continue to enhance bilateral contacts and work together for good neighbourly relations, according to Aizaz Chaudhary, Pakistan Foreign Secretary. The 25th December, 2015,an amalgamation of several special occasions, could become the benchmark of peace talks for India with two of its most fluctuating South-Asian counterparts. As Prime Minister Modi returned from his day-long diplomatic ride, he was welcomed by Swaraj at the Delhi Airport, both of them happily responsible for the improving ties.
Source: NDTV, The Times of India
Tags: india Modi in Pakistan Narendra Modi Nawaz Sharif Pakistan
