LAHORE, Dec 25:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today sprang a surprise with a 150-minute visit to Lahore where he greeted his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his birthday and had talks during which they decided to open ways for peace for the “larger good” of the people of the two countries.
Injecting an element of drama into the see-saw Indo-Pak ties, Modi took the world by surprise by announcing in a tweet from Kabul that he will “drop by” in Lahore to greet Sharif on his 66th birthday today. “Looking forward to meeting PM Nawaz Sharif in Lahore today afternoon, where I will drop by on my way back to Delhi,” he tweeted.
After Modi made a surprise stopover here on his way back home after a day-long unannounced visit to Afghanistan where he went after concluding a two-day trip to Russia yesterday, the two leaders flew to Sharif’s palatial residence of Jati Umra Raiwind, which is some 20 km from the airport, in a chopper making it the first time that any two leaders of the two countries were travelling together.
They spent about 80 minutes during which Modi greeted family members at the marriage function of Sharif’s grand-daughter Mehrun Nisa (who is daughter of Mariam Nawaz Sharif) at the latter’s Raiwind home. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and other Indian officials were also present.
India’s External Affairs Ministry Spokesman said the visit and the talks were aimed at infusing a “positive spirit” in the neighborhood.
Indian sources said the idea of a visit emanated from a conversation between the two prime ministers this morning when Modi called Sharif from Kabul to greet him on his 66th birthday.
Pakistan described Modi’s stopover here as a “goodwill visit” and said the two leaders discussed about the comprehensive dialogue which the two countries have recently decided to start.
“The two leaders decided to take forward the dialogue process… It was agreed that foreign secretaries will meet in Islamabad next month,” Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chowdhury.
Chowdhury said the two premiers agreed to “open ways for peace and better atmosphere”, while understanding each other’s concerns.
“Both leaders expressed their desire to carry forward the dialogue process for larger good of peoples of the two countries,” Spokesperson of Pakistan’s Foreign Office said.
“The two Prime Ministers agreed to continue and enhance contacts and work together to establish good neighborly relations,” the spokesperson said in another tweet.
Sharif received Modi and the two shared a warm embrace after the Indian leader emerged from his special aircraft at Allama Iqbal International Airport. He also saw Modi off at the airport.
The first visit by an Indian premier in nearly 12 years marked another step forward by the two countries in their efforts to put on an even keel their ties which was going through a chill until recently.
It also came more than two weeks after Modi and Sharif had an unscheduled meeting at climate change talks in Paris
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
“Prime Minister of Pakistan welcomed the initiative of the Prime Minister of India to visit Lahore,” Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson said.
Describing Modi’s stopover here as unscheduled, Chowdhury said that the decision about the trip was taken during the conversation when the Indian premier called up Sharif to greet him on his birthday. “He(Modi) did not know about the marriage,” he said.
Modi, who was attired in off white kurta, white pyjama and red waistcoat, extended birthday greetings to Sharif, who wore light blue shalwar kameez and dark blue waistcoat. He was also presented a bouquet by Sharif.
Sharif’s brother Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s finance minister Ishaq Dar were among others who were present.
Modi was accorded a red carpet welcome as PM’s special IAF Boeing 737 plane made a smooth touchdown at 4.20 local time(4.50 IST). The two leaders then proceeded to Sharif’s palatial residence of Jati Umra Raiwind, which is some 20 km from the airport, in a chopper making it for the first time that any two leaders were travelling together.
Modi attended a marriage function of Sharif’s grand-daughter Mehrun Nisa (who is daughter of Mariam Nawaz Sharif) at the latter’s Raiwind home.
“Beyond the noise, a personal connect. The Prime Ministers discuss #IndiaPakistan relations in Raiwind,” tweeted External Affairs Ministry spokesman.
“Family matters. PM visits PM Sharif’s home in a special gesture, where his grand-daughter’s wedding is being held,” he said in another tweet.
“Birthday wishes for PM Sharif, best wishes for #IndiaPakistan relations,” he said.
“Today is the baraat (wedding ceremony) of Mehrun Nisa and PM Sharif had invited Modi when he called him by phone,” a PML-N senior leader said.
The National Security Advisers of India and Pakistan met on December six in Bangkok. The development surprised many and it was announced with a joint press release only after the meeting was over.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs at the time said the advisers discussed “peace and security, terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, and other issues, including tranquility along the LoC (Line of Control).”
India and Pakistan broke the logjam in their ties and announced during External Affairs Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Islamabad a couple of days after the meet of their NSAs that they have decided to engage in a “comprehensive” dialogue that will include peace and security and Jammu and Kashmir.
Chaudhry further said both prime ministers also agreed to enhance people-to-people contacts and developing such an environment for the purpose.
“They also agreed to take steps to improve the relations between the two countries and work together in this regard.”
Chaudhry further said since it was a “sudden meeting” and the prime minister’s team on foreign affairs – Sartaj Aziz and Tariq Fatimi – could not make to Lahore from Islamabad.
“I was preset in Lahore thereby I attended the meeting,” he said.
He said there was a need to understand each other’s concerns. “Both leaders also underscored the need to understand the issues, concerns and desires of each other.”
To a question, Chaudhry said PM Modi did not know about the marriage of granddaughter of PM Sharif. He told him that he was in Lahore and asked Modi to come to Lahore.
“Mr Modi wished Mr Sharif happy birthday and congratulated him on her granddaughter’s wedding,” he said.
Replying another question, he said that the civil and military leadership was on “same page” on all issues including terrorism.
After spending one-and-a-half hour in Jati Umrah, Prime Minister Modi left for the airport.
In what appears to be an unprecedented gesture by Prime Minister Sharif, he both received and saw off Modi at Lahore airport.
Earlier in Kabul, in a veiled attack against Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that Afghanistan will succeed only when terrorism no longer flows across the border and when nurseries and sanctuaries of terrorism are shut.
Declaring that India is in Afghanistan to contribute not to compete, to lay the foundations of future and not light the flame of conflict, Modi also said terror and violence cannot be the instrument to shape the future of the strife-torn country or dictate the choices its people make.
The Prime Minister was addressing the Afghan Parliament here after inaugurating its swanky new building that was built by India at a cost of 90 million USD in the presence of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. He also opened an ‘Atal block’ in the Parliament premises named after former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee whose 91st birthday fell today.
In his nearly 40-minute address during which he was lustily cheered by the assembled audience on several occasions, Modi also made a veiled reference to Pakistan’s reservations about Indian involvement in Afghanistan, saying,” there are some who do not want us to be here.
“There are some who did not want us to be here. There were those who saw sinister designs in our presence here. There are others who were uneasy at the strength of our partnership. Some even tried to discourage us.”
“Afghanistan will succeed only when terrorism no longer flows across the border; when nurseries and sanctuaries of terrorism are shut; and, their patrons are no longer in business, he said, adding, “Terror and violence cannot be the instrument to shape Afghanistan’s future or dictate the choices Afghans make.”
Modi saluted people of Afghanistan for having faith in India and not judge it by others tell them, including about the mysterious Indian consulates, in anotehr veiled dig at Pakistan.
“You never doubted the sincerity of our commitment and the strength of our friendship. And, you have seen the fruits of our partnership,” he said, adding, “You have judged us by what you see, not what others tell you, including about the mysterious Indian consulates.” Pakistan has long alleged that India was fomenting trouble in its Balochistan province through Indian consulates in Kandahar and Jalalabad.
“You know that India is here to contribute not to compete; to lay the foundations of future, not light the flame of conflict; to rebuild lives, not destroy a nation.”
Referring to the violence in Afghanistan for decades, Modi said, “Too much blood has flown down Kabul river. Too many tragedies have darkened the mountain slopes. Too many dreams have burnt in the fire of a senseless conflict.”
He also urged the world to support Afghanistan.
“We must support Afghanistan without time lines because the new clouds of extremism and terrorism are rising, even as the old ones continue to darken our skies; and, because Afghans are not only fighting for their future, but are standing up for all of us and a safer world,” he said.
The prime minister said it is time for all Afghans, everyone in the region and the rest of the world to come together.
“We know that Afghanistan’s success will require the cooperation and support of each of its neighbours. And, all of us in the region–India, Pakistan, Iran and others–must unite, in trust and cooperation, behind this common purpose and in recognition of our common destiny,” he said, adding,” When Afghanistan becomes a haven of peace and a hub for the flow of ideas, commerce, energy and investments in the region, we will all prosper together.”
Modi said efforts were underway to improve Afghanistan’s connectivity by land and sea, including through Chahbahar in Iran.
“That is why I hope that Pakistan will become a bridge between South Asia and Afghanistan and beyond,” he said, adding, “I hope that the day will come soon when energy from Central Asia will power prosperity in our region; when a Kabuliwala can once again come across easily to win Indian hearts; when we in India can relish the wonderful fruits of Afghanistan; when Afghans do not have to pay an enormous price to buy their favourite products from India.
Modi told the Parliament that every youth in Afghanistan should see a future in which IT stands for information technology, not international terrorism.
He saluted the people of Afghanistan, saying a country with an abiding faith in the tradition of Jirga has chosen the path of democracy. “And, it has done it against challenges that would have defeated a lesser people.”
“It is a tribute to the countless, nameless Afghans who laid down their lives and sacrificed their future.”
He also praised Afghans who have risked their lives to protect Indian interests.
“As we have stood with you in our efforts to rebuild your country, you have guarded and protected our people as your own. We have faced daily threats, but we feel secure in your midst.
“To every Afghan, who has risked or lost his life so that his Indian guest is safe, I convey the eternal gratefulness of India.
“To Indian diplomats, officers, engineers and doctors, who serve here with pride, to the families of our Indian martyrs, I express the gratitude of Indians and Afghans,” he said.
Modi said the new Parliament Complex is a small tribute to Afghanistan’s progress as a nation and a democracy and will stand as an enduring symbol of the ties of emotions and values, of affection and aspirations that bind us in a special relationship.
“And, the Atal Block unites us in spirit, because Atal means hero in Pashto and in Hindi it means to be firm. It captures the spirit of Afghanistan and of our friendship,” he said.
The institutions that India are establishing together are helping rebuild agriculture and mining in Afghanistan, and make advanced medical care available in Kabul.
“You have been at the crossroads of history. And, your history tells us that you will never let yourself become a theatre of competition; or serve the designs of others.
For you live by the creed extolled by poet Kushal Khan Khattak that Nation’s honor and nation’s fame on life they have a prior claim,” he said.
The prime minister said Afghans have the wisdom to seek peace with neighbours, but also the courage to defend their freedom. “And, Afghans of all persuasions must have the right to seek peace among themselves.”
“You can be Pushtoons, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Hazaras. You can be Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs. But, you are proud Afghans who can come together as one nation and one people. You may have fought in the name of religion; or in the cause of identity. But, it is now time for Afghans to come together in peace,” he told the Parliamentarians.
Modi said those waging war from outside must seek a path to Parliament building and this hall.
“Those seeking territory through gun must seek power through ballot. Those who have destroyed homes must now rebuild their nation. For, this is your land and these are your people.
“And, it must be on your terms, on your genius, through your own process and your own spirit of brotherhood. Not driven by the calculations or ambitions of others,” he added. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel