NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was slammed by hardline Hindu nationalist party Shiv Sena for extending birthday wishes to Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif, NDTV reported on Tuesday.
In an op-ed in its newspaper Saamana, Shiv Sena invoked Chhatrapati Shivaji, a prominent Hindu warrior, saying that he never extended good wishes to his enemies.
The Shiv Sena said: "What is outstanding about Shivaji Maharaj's thoughts is that he considered enemies of Swarajya as enemies of the nation. Shivaji Maharaj never extended birthday greetings to Aurangzeb, Afzal Khan and Shaista Khan."
Modi wished Nawaz Sharif on his birthday via Twitter.
Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2016
The Indian PM’s birthday wishes come as tensions prevail between Pakistan and India amid ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary following an alleged 'surgical strike', unrest in Kashmir and the Uri army base attack.
Maryam Nawaz, PM Nawaz's daughter tweeted in response to Modi:
Thank u for your kind prayers. Shared yr tweet with my father who deeply appreciates the gesture & conveys his best. https://t.co/N8x5CO3KKt
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) December 25, 2016
Last year, Mr Modi while returning from his Afghanistan visit had "dropped by" in Lahore on a 'surprise' visit to greet Nawaz on his birthday and also to attend his granddaughter’s wedding.
The Indian premier gifted PM Nawaz a pink Rajasthani turban which the latter wore at the wedding ceremony.
