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New Delhi, Dec 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi left the media, political opponents, and a section of his supporters in a state of shock by visiting the ‘not-so-friendly’ neighbour in a surprising manner. The diplomatic trip was kept as a high-level secret, mainly due to security concerns and the unprecedented sensationalization done by media on both sides of the border.
The warmth between Modi and Sharif was evident. The meeting was far more personal, emotional and engaging as compared to the bromance faked by third-world leaders with their western counterparts. (ALSO READ: Personally touched by Nawaz Sharif’s welcome: Narendra Modi)
Modi’s decision to visit Lahore assures the commitment towards his regime of resuming ties with Pakistan. Although, his trip was 150-minute short, he did not fail to reminisce the 2003 historic visit of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, where he won the hearts of thousands of peace-loving people across the border through his iconic speech from Minar-e-Pakistan.
It took 12-years for an Indian Prime Minister to visit the neighbouring nation. While the 10-years of Congress rule was some how stuck in policy paralysis when it came to international diplomacy, it is the ultra-nationalist regime of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which could be seen making quick decisions aimed at bringing parivartan and altering the stagnant status-quo.
While the resumption of Indo-Pak talks is welcomed by political commentators, analysists and people close to the establishment, a large section of Opposition in India, including Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and NDA ally Shiv Sena ridiculed the visit, equating it with disrespect shown towards Indian soldiers who are martyred along the LOC.
In Pakistan, major Opposition parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf led by Imran Khan and Tahir-ul-Qadri’s Pakistan Awami Tehreek have appreciated the move taken by Modi and Sharif. However, the fundamentalist political outfit Jama’at-e-Islami opposed Modi’s visit tooth and nail.
The meeting was announced with another positive decision – the resumption of routine talks between Foreign Secretaries starting from January 15.
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