"PM extends his congratulations to Nawaz Sharif and his party for their emphatic victory in Pakistan's elections." PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh invited Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif to visit India via Twitter, Express News reported on Sunday.
https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/333564730176335872
Earlier in the day, Manmohan Singh had congratulated Sharif on unofficially winning the elections by clear majority.
https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/333563750160429056
Singh also tweeted about future Pak-India ties.
https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/333564287048105984
The Indian PM also congratulated Pakistanis on the election turnout.
https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/333563942951591936
Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid also congratulated Nawaz on coming to power even before all the results were declared.
“India welcomes whatever result that comes out of a democratic election,” Khurshid told television channels as results began to come in.
“Our government has had relations with Nawaz Sharif. Congratulations will also be offered from Prime Minister’s (if he wins).”
“I hope we can continue to have good relations [with Pakistan] if he comes to power,” he said
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@Cynical: Appreciate your post. Nawaz Sharif should visit his ancestral place after taking over as Pakistan PM which would cement friendship between the people of both countries. The people of India and ruling party have welcomed the outcome of elections results in Pakistan. In the fitness of the things, Pakistan military should cooperate with the new regime for normalisation relations between the two countries and abandon its decades old policy of exporting terrorism across the border.
Cynical and Rahim Khan
Great posts. That is why Islam decries nationalism - which is rightly called the refuge of scoundrels. Instead we need to follow the nationalism of Islam alone, focus on the interests and points of view of Muslims exclusively. In following this clear path, a true universal brotherhood of humanity can be reached. UnIslamic nationalism - unguided by Allah and lacking in morals - is a terrible thing. But let's hope Pakistan soon builds itself as a nation because the nationalism of Pakistan is in line with the interests of Muslims and thus what Allah would Himself want.
@Rahim Khan
A very inspired post. Your world view is quite humane and laudable. With such holistic ideas, you may not win many hearts from either side of the fence, but at a personal level you have triumphed over the personal demon that resides in all human hearts. Respect.
Since you liked the Oscar Wilde, I presume you would like the following, my personal favourite. 'Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism -how passionately I hate them! Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.'- Albert Einstein Leo Tolstoy described patriotism as the principle that will justify the training of wholesale murderers. Having said that, it has to be taken into account that words such as 'patriotism' or 'nationalism', have been used differently by different people, in different places (or contexts) and at different times. What I feel is that what all these sages from the past have denounced is 'false patriotism' that hides one or more sinister agenda of those in power or in pursuance of power. However all nationalistic campaign is inherently divisive and pregnant with possibilities of further division/segregation which are often violent..
People from rural areas seem to be quite different from the urban elites who describe the former as ‘simple’, an euphemism for ‘naïve’ or ‘stupid’. They are by and large warm hearted, they nurture love not hatred. For one, they don’t overanalyse things to death. There is a lot we can learn from them. Follow the links below.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sharifs-village-in-Amritsar-celebrates-his-victory/articleshow/20020506.cms
And, http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-12/india/392030061pml-n-mian-mohammad-sharif-sharif-family
Neither Indians nor Pakistanis should get euphoric or invest too much emotion. It is a hard road ahead before we reach any kind of accommodation. All we should hope for is a non- hostile attitude on either side. Let us get on with our own lives in peace. Outstanding issues will only be settled when both countries are sufficiently confident of themselves.
India and Pakistan will find peace only if they stop fighting over Kashmir. The Kashmiri have suffered enough. Pakistan and Afghanistan have more similarities with Indians than the Chineese. Remember that Nations survive by keeping its citizens united towards a common threat. As humanity is stepping up towards Global Humanism and empathy, it is hard to grasp territorial wars and mass exploitation. As Oscar Wilde has clearly pointed out "Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious". Shed your citizenship and you will love all human beings regardless of what differentiates them.
My congratulations to every Palistani for supporting democracy in his country. The democracy of course has its own limitations--aadmi gine jaate hain , maape nahin jaate-- but still it is better political system. With the passage of time it improves in every nation. There are enough of sane persons both in Pakistan and India who enjoy and pray for peace and prosperity for every one in the world. May Allah Mia bless M. Niwaz Shareef and give him strength to bring peace and prosperity to Pakistan and the world.
@Azharuddin Masood:
Beautiful reply.
The world ( and specially Chinese , Bengali & Afghanis ) either has forgotten or dont realize how close India / Pakistan is in terms of culture and tradition.
Although the first logical reason for Mr. Manmohan Singh to ask Nawaz to visit India is because it is the most he can do. In a place like India where it can be very negative for a law abiding citizen even to show soft corner for Pakistan , a representative politician takes the initiative to capitalize on his office and send the message to welcome the long awaited counterpart eligible to sit on table and talk on resolving issues.
I have always admired the initiatives Mr Singh has taken in the past. But I do wonder whether this is his individual character or is he instructed by his "superiors". ??
I think it is a good gesture and it should be availed by NS when possible, sooner the better.
@jj: Mr. Manmohan Singh will not visit Pakistan because in relation India is elder of Pakistan and Dr. Manmohan Singh is elder to Miya Nawaz Sharif and in our customs it is mandatory for the younger to visit the elders and not vice versa.
@kaalchakra: Well World knows how "trustworthy" Pakistan is. US, Afghanistan and Indian has first hand experience of it. Manmohan Singh has to be very cautious when extending hand of friendship to NS. This is the same guy who was PM when Kargill happened and he put all blame on Musharaf.
@Luciferous: Huh? You do know that Bal Thackeray has passed away don't you?
@nust: Huh? Imran has been an honoured guest to India also. Of course since he is not a PM, the PM will not invite him. Zardari was extended due courtesy even on a personal visit.
Unsure which political party has India failed to extend due diplomatic courtesy.
And what is wrong if Indian PM watches out for Indian interest. It does not automatically mean against Pakistani interest as you seem to think.
Thanks Mr.Manmohan Singh to invite Mr.Nawaz but may I ASK WHY U NOT COME TO PAKISTAN?
@kaalchakra: We know thats u dnt want bt its ur need
@nust: nothing is free dear. U hv to cost for every thing
Congratulations Mr. Sharif!!! Congratulations to people of Pakistan for creating history by first democratic transition of government. This is a big step in the history of Pakistan............... I have started to gain more faith in democracy of Pakistan
@kaalchakra - I am pretty sure you never gonna change your hatred mindset..
@Kailash Sethy: "It’s not good for India to have a good relationship with Pakistan."
Long live Bal Thakrey!
Best course for 1/4th of humanity. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jain or any other faith, we have no choice but to live with each other. Of course there will be Shiv Sena, Taliban, an assortment of terrorist groups but they are a very tiny minority; we should not let them set the agenda or follow their hateful, destructive and twisted idealogies.
kailash Sethy
Other than a few greedy sugar traders and Islamophobes nobody in Pakistan wants good relations with India either until India frees Kashmir. All Pakistanis know very well that India is selfish nation. You should learn something from our Islamic brother countries who love Pakistan selflessly and out of their admiration for Pakistan's role in international peace-keeping.
Keeping in view of his previous record, India appears to be quite comfortable with Nawaz Sharif's victory. However, it remains to be seen whether or not he would be able to overcome the pressures from both military and militants who might play spoilsport in normalising relations between the two countries.
@kaalchakra: Actually it's the other way around. pakistan cannot be trusted! pakistan says peace talks and the next day they stab from behind , observing the history...
Pakistan cannot trust India. There must be some selfish motive behind this apparent 'friendliness' coming from India.
It will be in the interest of both the countries if they decide to have good relations if so many other countries can coexist happily why not us.We have common culture and even the language on both sides Panjab is same. Our great grand fathers have coexisted for centuries and we can utilize the resources for the betterment of living conditions provide bread and butter for the poor people.WITH REGARDS FOR ALL PAKISTANIS.
This is the first trap thrown by Manmohan Singh.Let us watch carefully what gaffe Nawaz commits right from the out set?
@INDIAN SHIA: Sharif's father migrated from Amritsar. The majority of immigrants from India were from Indian Punjab. In Pakistan they are not branded as mohajirs, because of language affinity with the Punjabis on the Pakistan side. Language is a strong divisive force in Pakistan, and the Urdu speaking migrants, grew into a separate ethnic group.
The Indian PM was born near Chakwal and Nawaz Sharif's family comes from Amritsar; both Punjabis. They should try and build a good alliance. I am sure the Sikh Punjabis must be just as delighted at Sharif's victory.
Its great incident.... INDIAN PM belongs to pak soil n PAK PM belongs to indian soil.
Lets hope for best
Its time to create history.
Why, of course he invites NS to india. We're not stupid, people. we know that india DOESN'T extend her hand towrds any Pakistani until and unless they have their own advantages in doing so. and speaking of nawaz, mms probably knows how beneficial ns will trun out. shame ECP. You RUINED our ives!
Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is an industrialist and possibilly he will be going to India to improve trade and bilateral relations between Pakistan and India.
Thank you India for the invitation. Lets make it a priority now shall we ....
Nawaz Sharif visit India and settle down decades old disputes so that both the countries can utilize their resources for economic development and public welfare.