Manmohan Singh. PHOTO: AFP
According to Indian TV channel Times Now, Singh told Nawaz that he would not be able to attend the ceremony due to his official engagements.
On Sunday, as soon as unofficial results of the elections declared Nawaz a winner, the Indian premier called him to congratulate and extended invitation to visit India. On Monday, Nawaz also invited Singh to Pakistan and said that it would be a great pleasure for him and for Pakistan if Singh attends his oath-taking ceremony.
India is hoping Nawaz’s return to power in Pakistan will herald an upturn in ties between the nuclear rivals as long as he can keep the generals who ousted him last time at bay, analysts say.
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pakistan and india must live together in harmony and peace,whatever happens.
pakistan, india and china should resolve their issues peacefully.must act responsbily for half of world population, living in this region.
Now, go and invite Putin to come for the swearing in ceremony!
@3rdRockFromTheSun: Yes they are new to democracy. They will remain new. Thanks for the post.
@someone: He should be careful in future.
@Hammad
What about the invasions of Bin Qasim, Ghazni, Ghodi, Babur, Abdali, Taimur, Nadir Shah etc.?
Wow, people are Jumping guns. May be NS just said casually that he would like to invite MS for oath taking ceremony. That does not mean he actually invited. Did any one from NS office checked with Indian PM office whether MS would be available before NS made that statement of inviting MS? If MS was not available then Indian PM office would have told so and NS would not have made that statement. If no one checked then it was a mistake of NS to give such a statement.
@Hammad May be you just need to ask that question from any Bangladeshi, that what he is feeling now? 99.9% you will get "We are absolutely fine"
@Hammad: What about your intruding in Kashmir in 1948? Do you want me to go further in history?
The fact of the matter is that the Indian PM invitation to NS was severely criticised by the BJP and other opposition parties as premature and without waiting for positive signals from across the border. The peeved Dr Singh in order to avoid further criticism decided to decline which should not be considered as a setback since this decision was taken under political compulsions at home.
Perhaps Mr Sharif and other Pakistanis are new to this 'democracy' thing...so let's give them the benefit of the doubt. A swearing in ceremony is a state's internal affair, where the head of the govt is sworn in. While diplomats of other countries posted to the host country may or may not attend; it is not generally accepted that other heads of govt / state attend (that happens at a 'coronation' which this is clearly not). Once Mr Sharif becomes head of govt; he can of course extend an official invitation to Mr Singh at a peer level; and Mr Singh can choose to accept / decline said invitation. Generally such state visits have a carefully planned, agreed upon agenda for the visit to accomplish something - given the time and money it takes on both sides to organise (host / attend) such meetings. So people, give it some time...let things settle down.
It is sad to see people fighting. when our leaders are talking of peace. We (on the both sides of the border) need to be more tolerant.
Pakistan needs Indian more than vice versa. Let Pakistan earn Mr Singh's visit. Nice move Mr Singh.
What is the sense in inviting oath taking activity, it is Pakistan's internal thing , what an Indian Prime Minister has to do. Is he going to certify/authenticate oath taking process
I sincerely wish he would attend the oath taking ceremony of NS and also take along with him prominent members of BJP. It is a great disappointment to me.
@Vimal(Indian): Since when is diplomacy about improving relations and not furthering nation's interest? Forget 26/11? I'm sick and tired of the non-transparent deal our netas and babus engage in. India should bring in a legislation similar to USA; anything our prime minister commit to should be non-binding until both houses ratify by 2/3rd...
@Vimal(Indian):
Please Mr Nawaz Sharif do not be too eager to win your neighbor's confidence. You have insulted enough this nation by inviting Prime Minister Mohan. Who has no business in your oath taking ceremony. Neither he has the courage to go against the public opinion when their election is so close. Wait with dignity and patience to see if Indians are interested. Let them take a step ahead then you may have support of this nations to take twice as more steps.
Indian needs to change there mindsets. Until then any attempts to improve relationships between the two nations is doomed too fail.
@muhammad kashif: You are a MIRROR IMAGE of Bal Thakre, Togadia,Narendra Modi, all combined. Change track so that the both these countries can move freely and for the better instead making atom bombs and keeping progress of people on low burner.
What will really happen even if both leaders visit each others countries ? The reality is that these issues between the two nations cannot be solved,and we must understand this.
The problems are unsolvable ,harsh fact but true
@ Jack(Indian) Nawaz Sharif belongs to a Kashmiri family of Jammu which later shifted to the outskirts of Amratsar named as Jati Umra after Umer Din , the grand father of Nawaz Sharif.After the partition of Subcontinent, the Sharif family shifted to Gawalmani Lahore in 1948. In April 1997, Mr Partap Sing Gill, former Governor of Goa, told this scribe in his official visit to Peshawar, that Mian Muhammad Sharif, father of Nawaz Sharif used to be his playmate in Kabaddi match. Mr Gill held the position of Patern in Chief of Jati Umra Periwar trust in Indian Punjab. Apparently,the job of this Trust was to locate the surviving members of divided families of 1947 partition.
Dr. Sing expects Mr. Sharif to keep up the promises to the nation in his election manifesto. I also hope so. However, such promises are meant to be forgotten at the eve of oath taking.
Mia Sahibs invitation was hasty and undiplomatic I think.
To all our Pakistani friends who might feel offended at Dr. Singh not accepting the invitation, please be patient. We have seen such official display of brotherly relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan but they have come a cropper. Rather it is better if diplomacy is allowed to take shape away from the focus of public eyes. In any case the problems are far too messy to expect any significant breakthrough right away. The one area that can and really should be pursued is trade. It is one that will benefit Pakistan immensely, as well as India, and it is what both the economies need at this point more than any declarations and chest thumping.
Vinod: Manmohan did not insult Sharif.
Sharif just revealed himself for the small mind that he is.
Seriously must every India or Pakistan report turn into a fight between the people of the two countries - one country should maintain more dignity than the other atleast.
@Sami Ullah: Be mature, such invitations have no political meaning. It was just a gesture towards building better relationship with India. Don't mix Religion with Politics. Mian could have invited Narender Modi also. Wishing for good begining.
Be mature, such invitations have no political meaning. It was just a gesture towards building better relationship with India. Don't mix Religion with Politics. Mian could have invited Narender Modi also. Wishing for good begining.
what a shame. Nawaz invite and Manmohan reject with an excuse. why dont pakistanis see it. India does not see Pakistan as something, rather as nothing. and Nawaz, have some dignity. inviting India as the first thing to do when become American agent(primeminister) Again. And India give him a slap on his face. but humiliating is not in Nawaz sharifs dictionary.
Sir, It is not fair, you have turned down our newly newly primer minister first wish. And what is for future please?
I hope General Kiyani doesnt plan a kargill season 2, with nawaz shareef being oblivious to it.
Two Punjabis becoming Prime minsters of India and Pakistan and both born in Pakistan,'this is the golden opportunity' to solve all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan.'If now or it may be never'.
Nawaz first move failed, very bad start. Let see what happens next?
@Saurav: and what about intruding in East Pakistan now Bangladesh. You sure have a short term memory.
First impulsive foreign policy move that fired back .. good luck PMLN in future.
@Vimal(Indian): Forget 26/11?? I hope ur being sarcastic.
As expected, Mr. NS in his excitement went over-board to display his 'close association' and connection with the Indian PM. What was Mr. NS trying to prove by inviting himself to India? The Indian PM has rejected the invitation to visit Pakistan and if that is not enough to wake Mr. NS up, then we as Pakistanis should be prepared for further humiliation. The problem with Mr. NS is that he wants to create history and in pursuit of self glory, he would bend over backwards to settle the various disputes with India. Mr. NS needs to realise that he is going to be the PM of Pakistan not the Secretary General of UN.
One thing is clear: Nawaz Sharif's actions appear to lack dignity.
Opportunity wasted.......
at first there was no need of invitation untill india stops terror financing in pakistan. secondly we must adopt rigid stance while dealing with india, nevertheless, this was india which started every issue which two coutnries are facing, whether this is Kashmir, Siachin, Sarkareek, Water Issue and issues which we are facing with respect to terrorism in Balochistan and even through Afghanistan. no doubt war is no solution, but there is a systematic war being imposed on Pakistan.
One should ask Nawaz Sharif: is this an oath taking ceremony of India, or of Pakistan?
Very good answer by Manmohan Singh.
I address the press/media of India and Pakistan. Friends, in final moments it will be the media of these two country that will make or mar the relations. Take this case even before The new government of Mr. Nawaz Sharif takes birth in Pakistan the head line says "Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh TURNS DOWN Nawaz Sharif’s invitation" It sounds so rude as if Manmohan was waiting to insult Sharif. Truth is not so.I wonder why it could not be said " MANMOHAN REGRETS - MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND DUE PREVIOUS COMMITMENTS" BUT NO WE MUST SENSATIONALIZE 'TURNS DOWN'. Dear all let us have a new Beginning. Friend from India
I don't understand why MNS has invited.......... ??? MNS has always been extra generous and faced embarassement afterwords.........must be careful on such high level of public office.
Does this mean we will have another Kargil II ? I really hope not but this is a sad decision by Indian PM
So typical...India has always wanted to maintain very UNI-Lateral "Bilateral" Policies that favor and suit her only. Nawaz's move was very mature and required India to be proactive for a change. I have immense confidence in Nawaz and sincerely hope that he can continue maintaining conducive relationships with India w/o Pakistan being at the giving end always.
Nawaz who?
Nawaz should focus on Pakistan's many internal challenges before needlessly indulging the Indians. I don't see any point in making Manmohan Singh a priority.
A wise response to the usual slap stick offer expected from a dolt who has made it again through serious rigging.
I think Indian Prime minister has to cancel all his official appointments and immediately make his time free for his appointment to attend swearing in ceremony of Mr.Mia Nawaz Sharif and improve the relations between India and Pakistan and drop his hangover over 26/11 and Sarabjit Singh episodes and actively engage in diplomacy to improve the relations between two countries.
Pathetic move by Singh. Mr. Nawaz Sharif's invitation has put the pressure back on India, which now seems the more unwilling of the two countries to pursue peace.