PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif talks to the media. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Nawaz said that he would also invite Singh to his oath-taking ceremony.
On Sunday, Nawaz had indicated his desire to normalise roller-coaster ties with Pakistan’s arch-rival India.
“I will visit India whether India invites me or not,” he said in an interview with an Indian television channel.
Within hours, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reciprocated the gesture by breaking with protocol and issuing a statement congratulating Nawaz on an ‘emphatic’ victory in the ‘historic elections’.
In his statement, Singh said India is ready to work with the new government of Pakistan in charting a new course for relationship between the two countries. He also invited Nawaz to visit India at a mutually convenient time.
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COMMENTS (54)
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Manmohan denies Sharif's invitation. Go figure...
Go on NS, we, the insafian, are with you on this uphill task.
Dost India to Roshan Pakistan
Good step for improving,normalizing and strengthening the relations between Pakistan-India by resolving all the burning,core and long-awaited issues.Now the time has come to take the serious steps by the both countries to resolve all the burning,core and long-awaited issues....
Nawaz Sharif should call all his master to take part in the oath taking function.
@Uza Syed: For enduring peace and bonhomie....pakistan must rectify its birth defect...there are no shortcuts i'm afraid....you guys must face the undeniable fact that pakistan was india before 1947...iqbal and jinnah were indians......and most of your peoples' forefathers must have been hindus....so you cant detach from india ever..neither can we from you ..or with any country of this subcontinent for that matter......we will respect you,your identity,your freedom....only if you respect your past...admit your past...i write all this to illustrate the point that the capitulation of national pride by nawaz sharif,imran khan you are talking of...is in itself fragile...
If we keep on fighting, one day China will eat both us whole.
PM Singh should attend. Enough of this nonsense hatred between Pakistan and India. We are neighbours who have too much in common to let us look like fools in front of the world. Please come PM Singh and also Rahul Gandhi should come. No more fighting please!
Listen, some of you seem upset by what I said above, if it's so, my intent was certainly not to upset anyone accept raising the 'wannabe' statesman to act like a responsible leader, even if against his nature, the man is heading to be PM of Pakistan and must not behave as if he is owner of this country. Pakistan is a country with 80million ctizens who take pride in being Pakistanis an independent country and wish our PM to behave like one. We are neither an Indian colony or their satellite state nor this is our ambition. The logic behind Imran also said some such a stupid thing would not change the nature of its stupidity, would it. Two wrongs never made and never would ever amount to a right, if you know what I mean?
I'm all for friendship with India but not unconditionally. Destruction of terrorism and those who perpetrate is in our best interest and we must do it and if it India also benefts from such noble work, so much the better.
@Uza Syed:
You are absolutely correct what you said in your comment. No sane person can deny the need of having good relations with neighbors, but that shouldn't come at the cost of self-respect and national interests. The desire for good relations cannot be a one way traffic without reciprocation, where the neighbor is persistently hellbent to destroy your, and is a firm believer of 'might is right' by continuously trying to enforce his unfair solution of the disputes without giving a damn to what the rest of the world thinks is fair. I am also for the good relations with India, but only if:
1- India agrees to implement the UNSC resolutions on Kashmir within a tangible time frame. 2- Immediately end illegal occupation of Sia-Chen, and go back to pre-1984 positions. 3- Stop sponsoring terrorist outfits and terrorism in in Balochistan and Pakistan.
@Rehmat
Is that your real name? Just curious.
@Abdussamad.........OK good friends! Was any one or even Nawaz Sharif invited from Pakistan when Manmohan Singh took oath as PM?? What a childish desire.......it is not money,but maturity & shrewdness which counts in politics.
@Uza Syed: NS saidPakistan territory would not be allowed to be used to attack a neighbour. This is what Musharraf said, Zardari said Imran said. So what did he say different. In Imran's interview to Karan Thapar he said he believed in civilian control of military Sharif said the same thing. What did he say that was different?
Everyone SAYS the same thing, we have to see what the execution will be.
But what was offensive about that?
When Zardari was sworn in Karzai was invited to the swearing in ceremony. SO inviting neighbours to swearing in ceremonies has been a tradition, not something new.
Why this kolveri di?
@Uza Syed: Do check out Imran Khan's interview to Karan Thapar. I did not see anything improper in the interview. What specifically bothered you? If he says tat he will carry out a credible investigation of Kargil - where the army undermined his peace initiative or that he will carry out creible investigation of 26/11 where people from Pakisani soil attacked another sovereign nation, that is what any sovereign nation should do. Why does this offend you? Imran too said as did Zardari that Pakistani soil should not be used to attack neighbours. What is there in this statement that is wrong? What is there if he said that Army should be under civilian control?
@Cynical: I do agree with u dear. I was vry happy when i saw people of Gah( chakwal disst pakistan) was celebrating victory of MANMOHAN according to them MANMOHAN is his boy.
U rightly said rural people r much better than urban cas they love their home land. While urbans r mostly mony minded.
Manmohan singh is in his last days as PM............he doesn't have any power
@Uza Syed: Pakistan has a tradition of inviting neighbours at swearing in ceremonies. Last time around it was Karzai who was invited. Why do you think that this invitation in someway compromises Pakistan's self-respect? You normally make pretty level headed points so I am quite curious to know what is driving such a strong response...
Yes. Only NS can take such bold steps. He is the most mature leader in Pakistan now. Can't say that for bis brother though on foreign policies. Indian Prime Minister should attend oath taking ceremony of NS and must also go with a very big delegation. He must include other political parties also in his delegation, especially BJP who started the peace process with Pakistan.
@Mehran Khan: I too was thinking along the lines of your post.
My only worry is that Europe was divided on Political borders not religious ideologies like India and Pakistan are.
But it's a good starting point to tear down all walls and live in peace and harmony with your neighbors.
Let's hope that something positive comes out of it.
not happening sir,i dont't think our pm can respond to your call,he will not be able to sell this to local audience,he will surely go if some action on 26/11 mastermind happens, although nice gesture mian sahab... hope no more kargil from ur end
That's what one would have expected from a great statesman in making! Without a long peace and trade with all our neighbors, we won't have any chance of peace, stability and economic progress. Peace with india will allow us to cut the bloated-khaki budget and use that money for education and poverty reduction. Bring the khakis under civilian control, so that paksitan can finally have an army, for so long it was army that had a country called pakistan! We should be responsible for our own future. For so long we did US bidding hoping to help that 'friendship' against india but in the end the US acted in self interest. Our new found best friend with benefits , the chinese, will also act in her best interest when the time comes. I hope we have learned from our past experiences that only country that has the best interest of pakistan at heart is .....Paksitan! Not USA, China or SA! Wake up people! Also, I hope that PML-N can use their closeness with various sectarian outfits to country's advantage and at least pacify them, so that we have peace internally! This is a new Dawn!
balay balay balay balay balay
Nawaz Singh Adventure begins
Mian jee, this is not your 'birthday party'!
First you sit with Karan Tharpar on TV and infront of the whole Indian audience and practically capitulate our independent and surrender our national pride as citizens and now this. Goodwill and friendly gestures are good, however you are not authorized to deal with our chronic rivals here as if dealing with your children's in-laws. I mean in such serious internationmal matters you can not behave like you are deciding matters related with some Ittefaq Group business issues. Pakistan, even if you managed the election as you desired, is not your personal fiefdom, we the citizens of the country also have rights and stakes here and must have a say in national issues.
Only Mian Sahib can take such bold steps. A new era of peace, progress and prosperity has begun. Dark, destructive forces will conspire again, but peace loving people of Pakistan will not let them succeed this time.
Utter incongruity! Why invite Indian PM to Pakistani PM's oath ceremony!!?? What a stupid gesture! Nawaz Sharif should know he is hardly a statesman, so he should immediately stop acting as one.
Will Mr. Singh attend the ceremony???? I will keep my fingers crossed; no substantial development on the front of Mumbai attacks so far........ However if Mr. Singh goes it will be nice gesture and god willing might also motivate Mr. Sharif to take some firm and real steps towards normalization of relation between two giants of South Asia.... If he doesn't it will give clear massage that only talks will not do...real action is needed before we can take the relationship to the next level... Response of Indian Govt. will be worth waiting for.....
People in rural areas are quite different from urban elites. They are warm hearted, they nurture love not hatred. 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
How can a person who attacked SC court become PM again? SC is sleeping now
It seems that we are destined to be an Indian satellite State.
why not Obama?
Looking at the election results, it seems Pakistan as a federation has taken a step back. Though complete wiping out of PPP from Punjab is very surprising, yet PTI getting largest share of seats from KPK is not unusual. In all three elections in PKP, electorate voted in different political party on each occasion. However, it is really promising to see PML-N will not be relying too heavily upon its coalition partners and will have, more or less, free ride to implement its programme. Going forward, PML-N has to stop relying upon political sloganeering and has to present workable and realistic plans to address energy crisis, terrorism, ethnicity, economy, civil-military relationships and foreign policy issues vis-a-vis the US, Afghanistan and India particularly.
India & Pakistan should live like USA & Canada,the whole South Asia will floursh , the Poverty can be removed and people life will improve & the region can come out as a World Power. There is a Great potential of People of Indian Sub Continent,
I think it’s a good initiative and we should break the barriers of past. Being student of history, Pakistan and Indian hostilities are nothing when compared with European revelries of pre WW2. Hence if Europeans can learn to live in peace after WW2 why not Pakistan and India, based on mutual respect for each other.I see no reason to continue hostilities/war mongering for another 100 years to reach to same conclusion in the end!
This is a fantastic gesture and can only hope it will be reciprocated.time to bury the past and its baggage and look to the future for a more harmonious relationship.This is not only important but will also save millions of rupees now wasted on arming ourselves with no gain to us but to the thriving arms industry..
@Naeem: India and Pakistan had previously gone into wars for silly reasons including Kargil. Your point is absurd, we need to move beyond 1965, 1971 and Kargil 1999. All such talk can only start with trust building. Nawaz Sharif has shown maturity and frankness in offering a hand of friendship. I don't see how and why Indian PM won't reciprocate. We must forget our wars and rivaleries and move on for a better future. Nawaz Sharif must be congratulated.
Finally we have leader to speak!
Great initiative, he should call Netanyahu too.
Smart idea. In all probability Mr Man Mohan Singh will accept the invitation and visit Pakistan to witness oath taking ceremony.
Yes, please invite Saudi Arabia too. They have really helped you achieve this amazing, unbelievable victory of yours. We really owe them.
And will give him the Kargil Commission report as a goodwill gesture
This looks promising.
We, the people of sub continent, deserve to lead a normal life. We have suffered enough. Enough hatred, enough blood shed, enough tears and enough misery. We have had enough. We need peace. We need an environment where we can look forward to tomorrow, where we can utilize our potential, where we can expect basic human rights and privileges from our countries.
There are forces that would try and stop us from achieving better relationship but i guess no body has really been ever harmed by having good & friendly relationship with their neighbors.
Lets hope this turns out to be as Promising as it looks.
Amen!
1 liner advice "Neither be too sweet nor too bitter". It should be a modest foreign policy keeping national interest at priority.
When Musharraff went hand shoke hands with Indian PM...the same Nawaz and followers where against this action and called its a fake gesture... When Nawaz is doing this the same followers are appreciating it...
My question to all of you...Do you use your brain as well...????
I appreciate Shri Nawaz Sharif's gesture and Shri Manmohan Singh should attend one of the festivals of democracy.. People's mandate should be honored..
From the begging PML-N showing their loyalty to India.. what a shame (AMAN KE ASHA)
Immature gesture
Nawaz Shariff and Manmohan Singh are best friends forever!
Good step taken , if Manmohan accepts and come to Pakistan , it will give a good massage to the entire wold community , that Pkistan belives in peace and stability in the region
That's what we were expecting from Nawaz Sharif a clever but wise move. Now Indian premier should visit Pakistan not Pakistan Premier. Already our Premiers visits there many times. Last time Raja Sb and before that Gilani Sb went their to see matches. We want a leader who keep Pakistan's respect ahead of anything else.
Well done !! Both the countries should take ( at least ) baby steps towards each other.
Although I am not a big fan of Nawaz Sharif but this a good step for regional stability. I appreciate it :D India Pakistan should end their differences and live in peace like European countries after WW2
Great idea. I would suggest to invite all the sponsors of the 'land slide victory'. Extend similar invitation to Saudi Arabia as well please. We owe to them for this great victory.
Excellent gesture. Good on you Nawaz Sharif. It will help us forget Imran Khan's intoxicating 'tsunami'. India should be our friend and we must make it our friend.