Pakistan PM Sharif to attend Modi’s inauguration

24 May 2014 03:39 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 9 Bookmark

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Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is to attend the inauguration of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister of India on Monday.

It is the first time since the two countries won independence in 1947 that a prime minister from one state will attend such a ceremony in the other.

The two nuclear-armed rivals have fought three wars in the past 60 years.

Mr Modi is seen as a hardliner on national security issues. His BJP party advocates a tough stance on Pakistan.

But correspondents say his huge election victory gives him a mandate to reach out to Pakistan in a way the previous administration could not.

Bilateral ties suffered badly in the wake of the 2008 attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai, when 166 people were killed by Pakistani gunmen.

Relations improved slightly under outgoing PM Manmohan Singh, but there are still regular skirmishes on the disputed border in Kashmir.
Mr Singh was invited to Mr Sharif's inauguration last year but did not attend. (BBC)

Comments - 9

Public Saturday, 24 May 2014 03:23 PM

We should truly respect and commend Modi for inviting all Asian neighbour leaders to one place. This is historical and might never happen again in the future. We think all leaders should take this opportunity to promote peace among neighbour countries. China too should attend.

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Diplomat Saturday, 24 May 2014 04:23 PM

A wise move. via DM iPad app

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Muthyavan. Saturday, 24 May 2014 06:21 PM

This is going to be the opening of a new chapter in the south Asian politics. when all the democratically elected head of nation join in the Super power Indias new government swear in seri moony. which is the largest democracy in the world and home to many national languages and religions of the world. via DM iPad app

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mohammadnoonnanna Saturday, 24 May 2014 01:08 PM

[quote name="Public"]We should truly respect and commend Modi for inviting all Asian neighbour leaders to one place. This is historical and might never happen again in the future. We think all leaders should take this opportunity to promote peace among neighbour countries. China too should attend.[/quote]
Undoubtedly it may be a historical ocassion to bring the neighbours close, but it needs heart-washing on the part of all the participants, including India, being the big brother as compared to Sri Lanka, whereas Pakistan being a nuke giant can see eye to eye with any neighbour having some sour eye over it.

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sam Saturday, 24 May 2014 06:53 PM

This is stupid. Y mody need sark country leaders.nothing will going to happen . Showing cinema Indians r very popular in cinemas. Mody going to act .politecian need propaganda mody MR and Nawas main actors via DM iPad app

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Waco Saturday, 24 May 2014 01:32 PM

Thank the Leaders who will be attending this ceremony profusely .
All these years India made enemies and not friends

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Suq Madique Saturday, 24 May 2014 02:04 PM

Kudos to Modi for inviting his neighbors and Sharif for accepting. We are looking forward to a new and better era of regional cooperation and understanding

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Siva Saturday, 24 May 2014 02:35 PM

So he will now be the main attraction. The news media will concentrate on him. The others may have to pay for media time.

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M.O.A.Careem Saturday, 24 May 2014 03:29 PM

since gain independence 1st move - but wise move - but S/L too same

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