Our Correspondent / New Delhi :
Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprise visit to Pakistan has evoked mixed response in the political circle at home. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise visit to Lahore to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, saying it is a step in the right direction. He said that it indicates the Prime Minister’s resolve to enter into a long-term strategic partnership with Pakistan.
The Congress has taken exception to the surprise visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Pakistan saying that his visit was pre-arranged. Briefing media in New Delhi senior party leader Anand Sharma said, this unannounced visit cannot be termed as statesmanship. He said, diplomacy must have seriousness and gravity. Mr Sharma said that the Congress has always been for a meaningful and productive engagement with Pakistan which has to be taken forward on a defined road-map.
The BJP has welcomed the Prime Minister’s surprise visit to Pakistan. Party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said that it was a moment to establish harmonious relationship between the two country.
CPI has welcomed the Prime Minister decision to visit Lahore to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, saying it would help take forward the Indo-Pak dialogue process. Party National Secretary D Raja said, dialogue is the only alternative to improve good neighbourly relations and sort out all problems bilaterally. He said it would help arrive at a better understanding and strengthen mutual trust between the two countries so that the dialogue process can be taken forward.
Janta Dal (United) leader K C Tyagi has said that he is stunned by the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit to Pakistan, especially in the wake of violations by the neighbouring country on the border. He said, friendship and betrayal cannot go hand in hand. Mr Tyagi also said that nothing is going to improve unless the leaders of Pakistan change their mindset.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has also welcomed the Prime Minister’s decision and said the re-engagement with Pakistan is a good step. In a tweet, Mr Abdullah said, Indo-Pak relations have been plagued by knee-jerk reactions and a lack of consistency and he is looking towards both the Prime Minister to correct this time.
Shiv Sena has given sarcastic but cautious reaction on this visit. Its MP Sanjay Raut questioned the need and outcome of the visit. He said if the PM’s visit will help in bringing back Dawood Ibrahim, Shiv Sena would welcome it.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has acted like a statesman in deciding to visit Pakistan. In a tweet, she said this is how relations with neighbours should be.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held meeting with his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Lahore. During the meeting at Raiwind Palace, the ancestral home of Mr Sharif, the two sides discussed the issues related to Indo-Pak relations. In a surprise visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier arrived in Pakistan this evening after wrapping up his visit to Russia and Afghanistan.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif received Mr Modi at Lahore airport and from there, Mr Modi reached Raiwind Palace. This was the first visit of Mr Modi to Pakistan after assuming charge. He was accompanied by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The relations between India and Pakistan have witnessed some positive developments in recent past. The two countries recently decided to launch a comprehensive dialogue after Mr Modi and Mr Sharif met in Paris.