Modi lands in Lahore on return from Kabul to wish Sharif on his birthday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Lahore on Friday. (Photo: AFP)
New Delhi/Islamabad: In what is seen as a masterstroke and diplomatic coup, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sprang a major surprise by making a brief halt of around two and a half hours in Lahore on Friday to meet Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif, shortly after announcing his intention to the world via Twitter, and throwing the Opposition and the media into a tizzy.
The move has considerably strengthened the path of the “Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue” that New Delhi had recently decided to initiate with Islamabad.
Pakistani officials said the two leaders decided to take forward the dialogue process and it was agreed that the two foreign secretaries will meet in Islamabad next month, adding that both leaders wanted restoration of mutual confidence between the two countries.
“Breakfast in Kabul, tea in Lahore & dinner in Delhi! PM Narendra Modi returns after a unique day in Indian diplomacy,” MEA spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted, soon after Mr Modi returned to New Delhi later on Friday evening.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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