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Narendra Modi Pakistan visit: PM Narendra Modi on Christmas day sprang a huge surprise on the world with a 150-minute visit to Pakistan where he met his counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Lahore and held talks during which they decided to 'open ways' for peace between the two countries. This was Pakistan PM's 66th birthday and his family was in the city to prepare for the marriage of a grandchild. Modi was accorded a red carpet welcome as PM's special IAF Boeing 737 plane made a smooth touchdown at 04.20 local time(04.50 IST). Pak PM also saw Modi off at the airport. Here are top 10 critical points to note about the visit(Reuters photo):
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1. Narendra Modi Pakistan visit: PM announced in a tweet from Kabul, where he was on a visit, that he will 'drop by' in Lahore to greet Nawaz 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," PM tweeted.
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2. Narendra Modi Pakistan visit: Nawaz Sharif received Narendra Modi and the two shared a warm embrace after the Indian leader emerged from his special aircraft at Allama Iqbal International Airport. 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. (PTI photo)
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3. Narendra Modi Pakistan visit: PM and Nawaz Sharif flew to Pakistan PM's palatial residence of Jati Umra Raiwind, which is some 20 km from the Lahore airport, in a chopper making it the first time that any two leaders of the two countries were travelling together.(PTI photo)
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4. Narendra Modi Pakistan visit: Narendra Modi spent about 80 minutes during which PM greeted Nawaz Sharif's family members at the marriage function of grand-daughter Mehrun Nisa (who is daughter of Mariam Nawaz Sharif) at the latter's Raiwind home. (PTI photo)
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5. Narendra Modi Pakistan visit: Indian sources said the idea of a visit by PM Narendra Modi emanated from a conversation between the two prime ministers in morning when Modi called Sharif from Kabul to greet him on his 66th birthday. Describing Modi's stopover here as unscheduled, Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed 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. "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. (PTI photo)
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7. Narendra Modi Pakistan visit: "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 said. Chowdhury said the two premiers agreed to "open ways for peace and better atmosphere", while understanding each other's concerns. (Reuters photo)
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8. Narendra Modi Pakistan visit: "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. (AP photo)
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9. Narendra Modi Pakistan visit: 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. (Reuters photo)
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10. Narendra Modi Pakistan visit: "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 added. (PTI photo)
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