The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has 'dropped by' in Lahore on his way to Delhi from Afghanistan to meet PM Nawaz today. The premier is the first Indian PM to visit Pakistan in 10 years.
This surprise visit comes on PM Nawaz Sharif's birthday, which Modi wished him earlier today via telephone.
Modi announced this surprise visit on Twitter earlier today.
Sushma Swaraj, the Indian Foreign Minister appreciated this effort of Modi's in a Tweet saying that these are the sort of relations that should be maintained with neighbours.
Arrangements to greet the Indian PM were made at the Allama Iqbal International Airport where security has been beefed up. Areas surrounding the airport have additional security measures implemented.
However, Modi seems to be getting criticism from his country for this action too. According to NDTV, Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar said, "It is unfortunate that we get to know about prime minister's visit through a tweet... India and Pakistan relations are not so good as yet that he stops over there on his way back from another country."
Congress leader Manish Tewari called it an "adventure" by prime minister Modi.
Swaraj told the Indian parliament last week that war is not an option and dialogue is the way forward with Pakistan to fight the ‘shadow of terror'.
This is the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited Pakistan in the past decade, Modi not only visited the prime minister of Pakistan but also his family. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart arrived at the former’s residence, Jati Umra, at Raiwind in Lahore.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gifted an Indian dress to granddaughter of Nawaz Sharif, whose marriage ceremony is scheduled for later in the evening.
The last meeting between Modi and Nawaz took place in November on the 21st UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, where the two exchanged pleasantries and had a friendly chat that stirred up the media from both countries.
Indian steel magnate Sajjan Jindal, the brother of former Congress MP Naveen Jindal, who reportedly arranged the secret meeting between Nawaz and Modi in Katmandu is also in Pakistan. “In Lahore to greet PM Nawaz Sharif on his birthday,” Jindal tweeted.
Bilawal also tweeted out
After the surprise visit today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for New Delhi, after spending his day with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on his birthday.
He took to twitter and said:
He further added about his visit