Pak wonders if Modi will visit
Officials and political analysts in Pakistan are wondering how Mr Narendra Modi will respond to an invitation from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to visit Pakistan after taking over as Prime Minister of India.
“Will Narendra Modi visit Pakistan after he takes over as PM and hon- our Nawaz Sharif’s invitation is a question peace-lovers here wish answered positively and quickly,” said a political analyst. Mr Sharif had telephoned Mr Modi Friday night after the BJP won a landslide victory in the general election.
“The PM invited Narendra Modi to visit Pakistan,” said a government official.
Officials and political analysts in Pakistan are wondering how Mr Narendra Modi will respond to an invitation from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to visit Pakistan after taking over as Prime Minister of India.
“Will Narendra Modi visit Pakistan after he takes over as PM and honour Nawaz Sharif ’s invitation is a question peace- lovers here wish answered positively and quickly,” said a political analyst.
Mr Sharif had telephoned Mr Modi Friday night after the BJP won a landslide victory in the general election. “The Prime Minister invited Narendra Modi to visit Pakistan,” said a senior government official. “We expect a positive response as this visit will definitely help the peace cause,” he added.
The official said Prime Minister Sharif called Mr Modi to congratulate him on his landslide election win, suggesting Islamabad is keen to promote better ties with its giant neighbour. Mr Sharif spoke to Mr Modi to hail the “impressive victory”, a statement from the Pakistan PM’s Office said.
There have been fears that a victory for Mr Modi and the BJP could signal bumpy times ahead for the two nuclear powers. Since his own election victory in May last year, PM Sharif has sought to improve ties with India.
Islamabad has also been making efforts for resumption of the composite dialogue process with New Delhi for resolution of all outstanding issues.
Nawaz Sharif, while addressing the recently held Envoys Conference at the ministry of foreign affairs, had said Pakistan has a number of outstanding disputes with India which need resolution, Kashmir being one of them and the most important.
“We want to have peace in this region. Peace for development. We need to overcome the problems that exist between Pakistan and India,” he had said.
Pakistan initially reacted cautiously to Mr Modi’s victory but hoped the new Indian government would respond positively.