Shiv Sena takes dig at Modi for greeting Nawaz on birthday
Right-wing group invokes Shivaji, saying he never exchanged pleasantries with enemies
Indian Prime Minister Narendar Modi with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: AFP
The hardline Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena is displeased with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s move to extend birthday wishes to his Pakistani counterpart two days ago.
In a veiled dig at the Indian premier, the right-wing party brought up 17th century Hindu warrior Shivaji, saying he had never extended such greetings to his enemies, NDTV reported on Tuesday.
"What is outstanding about Shivaji Maharaj's thoughts is that he considered enemies of Swarajya as enemies of the nation,” read an editorial in Shiv Sena’s 'Saamana' newspaper. “Shivaji Maharaj never extended birthday greetings to Aurangzeb, Afzal Khan and Shaista Khan," it added.
Modi greets PM Nawaz on his birthday
Modi used Twitter on Sunday to extend greetings to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
“Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life,” read his tweet which came at a time when tensions between Pakistan and India have been at an all-time high.
Premier Nawaz’s daughter responded to Modi on Twitter, saying: "Thank u for your kind prayers. Shared your tweet with my father who deeply appreciates the gesture and conveys his best."
Ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbours have been frayed, among other reasons, due to the Indian premier’s own harsh rhetoric against Pakistan.
Modi may rethink Pakistan approach
But an Indian diplomat has raised hopes that Modi may rethink his Pakistan policy sometime next year after state elections in Punjab and UP are done with.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2016.
In a veiled dig at the Indian premier, the right-wing party brought up 17th century Hindu warrior Shivaji, saying he had never extended such greetings to his enemies, NDTV reported on Tuesday.
"What is outstanding about Shivaji Maharaj's thoughts is that he considered enemies of Swarajya as enemies of the nation,” read an editorial in Shiv Sena’s 'Saamana' newspaper. “Shivaji Maharaj never extended birthday greetings to Aurangzeb, Afzal Khan and Shaista Khan," it added.
Modi greets PM Nawaz on his birthday
Modi used Twitter on Sunday to extend greetings to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
“Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life,” read his tweet which came at a time when tensions between Pakistan and India have been at an all-time high.
Premier Nawaz’s daughter responded to Modi on Twitter, saying: "Thank u for your kind prayers. Shared your tweet with my father who deeply appreciates the gesture and conveys his best."
Ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbours have been frayed, among other reasons, due to the Indian premier’s own harsh rhetoric against Pakistan.
Modi may rethink Pakistan approach
But an Indian diplomat has raised hopes that Modi may rethink his Pakistan policy sometime next year after state elections in Punjab and UP are done with.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2016.