On his first day in the job, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi pressed his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif for action against “terrorist groups” across the border, underlining sharp differences in both the style and approach of the leaders of Pakistan and India.
While Modi’s blunt warning to Islamabad amply showed that New Delhi wasn’t prepared to forget the past, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was looking at the future and appeared unwilling to drag old skeletons from the political cupboard, glossing over the irritants that have kept alive the tensions between the two neighbouring states.
In stark contrast to Modi, PM Nawaz Sharif spoke of burying the past and turning a new page during Tuesday’s historic meeting between the two leaders in New Delhi. His Delhi jaunt, in fact, was all about felicitating the new leader of India. There was no mention of the central issue of Kashmir, Siachen Glacier, Sir Creek, Wullar Barrage or even the water disputes involving the two neighbours. When PM Nawaz was preparing to fly out of the country, Indian officials did not accord him the same protocol that he had received upon his arrival, diplomats observed.
Even though PM Nawaz did not meet with representatives of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference nor discussed Kashmir and instead focused on trade, his Indian counterpart insisted on talking about security.
PM Nawaz took no questions after the meeting and reading from a prepared text, he told the press, “I recalled to Prime Minister Modi my invitation to former prime minister Vajpayee. I intend to pick up the threads from the Lahore declaration [...] PM Modi warmly reciprocated my sentiments and remarked that my visit to New Delhi was seen as a special gesture by the people of India.”
However, Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh had a different version of the meeting. Briefing the Indian media, she said Modi conveyed India’s security concerns to premier Nawaz Sharif, especially issues of cross-border terrorism.
“It was conveyed that Pakistan must abide by its commitment to prevent its territory and territory under its control from being used for terrorism against India,” she said. Pakistan was told that it needs to take effective measures to control terror, she maintained.
According to Singh, Modi flagged the point that the probe into the 26/11 Mumbai attacks needed to be expedited. The pace of investigations was too slow, the Indian premier pointed out.
However, India did not clarify whether the issue of extradition of Dawood Ibrahim was raised or not. “We choose not to discuss it (with the media). These were confidential meetings,” the Indian foreign secretary said.
According to officials, the attack on the Indian Consulate in Herat was not discussed.
On a more positive note, the talks also covered the need to improve trade between nations and expanding trade on the Wagah and Attari borders.
During his short and scripted address to the media, PM Nawaz, too, said, “Our common agenda is not possible without peace and security. Consequently, it is important for us to work together. Let us change confrontation into cooperation.”
He added, “I pointed out that we were at the beginning of our respective tenures with a clear mandate. This provides us the opportunity of meeting the hopes and aspirations of our people that we will succeed in turning a new page in our relations. The one-and-a-half billion people of the two countries want us to focus on their well-being and welfare.”
The two leaders shared a 26-second handshake and held a 30-minute meeting that spilled over 50 minutes. Officials said the chemistry between the two prime ministers was good.
In the past, Modi had made much of Nawaz Sharif’s ‘dehati aurat’ remark about former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh and had attacked Pakistan for being disrespectful. However, there was not even a hint of anything intemperate during the talks. Modi also accepted PM Nawaz’s invitation to come to Pakistan.
Earlier in the day, the prime minister visited the historic Red Fort and called on the Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid, Abdullah Bukhari. “He wants that relations between the two countries should improve and the bitterness and differences are reduced. He said both India and Pakistan should move toward peace and happiness,” Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, told reporters after the premier’s visit to the mosque.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 28th, 2014.
COMMENTS (54)
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You folks at ET can't hide it anymore, can you? You are really "in love" with Indian trolls? I don't get one decent comment posted but they get same or similar comments posted one-after-the-other, lol.
Nawaz visited to get Modi's ''Mantra'' for the peace and prosperity of the entire region . ._ Deal Terrorism with terrorism in all fields . ...Modi now seems to be proctive in the ecomics but at same time he is openly colaborating with all SENAs existing in the region or else where . Just now he praised a sena in Maharastra .. .
N.S. is very much a seasoned polititian now getting internation support for his proactive approach against terrorists . He knows well the Indian demand and Modi also knowing his current demand . I feel give and take policy will work here which could be complementary to each others need . And hence the visit will be no more a futile move .
N.S. is very much a seasoned polititian now getting internation support for his proactive approach against terrorists . He knows well the Indian demand and Modi also knowing his current demand . I feel give and take policy will work here which could be complementary to each others need . And hence the visit will be no more a futile move .
N.S. is very much a seasoned polititian now getting internation support for his proactive approach againsr terrorists . He knows well the Indian demand and Modi also knowing his current demand . I feel give and take policy will work here which could be complementary to each others need . And hence the visit will be no more a futile move .
@Ch. Allah Daad: Now Modi became your well-wisher... What have you been smoking Ch Sahab? Please don't humiliate the blood our army bled in wars with this "Old Skeleton" in the cupboard. NS without Army advisors in back room is just an opportunist business man not an Iron Will leader.
@Rakib: appreciate the pardon met out by you; seems you're gracious enough to let me seek succor despite the faux pas and embarrassment I have caused!
I think I need a break from such forums, my mindset has been deeply converted looking at the hate spewed by both sides. They say hate begets hate - thats exactly where I stood - A hater.
Thank you for the humbling experience.
@BRUISED INDIAN: Sir, you are a fine sport & very gracious. Of course not only you are free to form opinions but you may even be close to truth. My purpose was not to take umbrage but to drive home a point that some times a vulnerable section like slum-dwelling Muslims & Dalits can be harassed. My guess is Muslims/Dalits can do without excessive attention on their voting preferences, particularly of specific areas/suburbs/streets etc. Reality is some desperately poor people take money from conflicting candidates & vote for a third fellow & then claim to the winner that they actually voted for him to get some small favour! Mostly they all vote on local issues, for better governance or as per their leader's word & for hope. I may be wrong but by and large pro-Modi v/s anti-Modi strident debate is going on only among Hindus. Both camps "use" Muslim to drive home a point, claiming his support! All goes; that's the carnival that democracy is!
@Rakib: pardon me for the late revert. First off let me apologize for the 30% figure. It was a weak defense, I agree; and I even agree that such a statement shouldn't have been made.
However, given the fact that we are all free to form perceptions and opinions I concluded my percentile based upon various reports, both homegrown and neutral. http://m.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-27615592
http://muslimmatters.org/2014/05/19/indian-elections/
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-muslims-muslim-voters-bjp-narendra-modi-delhi-lok-sabha-constituencies-harsh-vardhan-parvesh-singh-verma-ec-aap/1/362351.html
@anwar kamal: It is the political establishment has no knowledge to manage issues,and always blames ISI or military establishment?
ISI is the main obstacle for Pakistan to establish peace with India.
If Nawaz Sharif government remained they would make Pakistan a proxy of India for their own personal and family business profits
@Gratgy: Oh thankls for writing 3 million and not 30 or 300 million
@Bewildered
"Pakistan is the only country Modi needs on his side for completely getting off the hook." Pray do tell us how a country that is the epicenter of global terror can help Modi get off the hook. Btw if you have not yet heard, supreme court of India has already acquitted Modi of charges. United state has already extended her invitation to Modi and it is one of the last country to really connect with Modi. Sorry to burst your bubble but Modi really does not need Pakistan's help in "getting of the hook".
and here is an OLD joke for you, a country that claims to be the biggest victim of terrorism still refuses to curb the terrorist outfits in its backyard just to spite India. Actually the joke is on you!
@pappu:
“Patriotism is, fundamentally, a conviction that a particular country is the best in the world because you were born in it....”
― George Bernard Shaw
@Candid1: Killing 3 Million Bangladeshis is called "Genocide" not "Injustice"
@Bewildered:
Your joke was really funny since compared to Nawaz Sharif, Modi looks like a complete angel
@BRUISED INDIAN: (As far as society goes: an overwhelming 30% of Muslim vote from Muslim dominated areas such as Lucknow, Allahabad and other seats went directly to the local BJP candidate.)
How did you get this exact figure? If true, EC has played a very dangerous game & put the lives of innocent Muslims at risk by revealing Booth-wise polling percentages all over UP which can mean the poor residents somewhere or the other will be targeted by either goons of Samajwadi Party/Bahujan Pary/Congress or Muslim-threatening BJP. This must be so all over India including Gujarat.. How can EC declare Who voted for Whom? It's criminal. This is a slur on the much boasted "Secret Ballot" of India.
@Muhammad Rizwan Ali
@INDIAN CAN NEVER BE CHANGED
Find what is your source (Hint - Read History) ---- and I do agree - that IT CAN NEVER BE CHANGED
Mr NS might have thought that Musharraf received a huge welcome and great trip to India. I too will enjoy. But this time there is Modi. who will hit sixer even before start of match.
Here is a brand new joke guys:
"Modi asked Nawaz Sharif to apprehend all the terrorists, and NS went into shock. How could he do that? Nawaz Sharif thought, coz the biggest of them all, murderer of thousands, was making the demand."
@Jatin: We will never forget Kashmir, and East Pakistan, that's an even greater injustice!
@Gratgy: its about definition of terrorist. one man terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.
Modi (India):
1- Acceptance and providing legitimacy to him for his role in the Muslims massacre of 2002, for which all the civilized world (USA & EU) had put a ban on his entry in their countries. Pakistan is the only country Modi needs on his side for completely getting off the hook. 2- Will allow him to demonstrate to USA & EU that he is the boss of the region and every country of the region is (afraid of India/him) desperate to get in his good books. This will allow him to deal with the rest of the world from a position of strength instead of weakness, and get favorable dealings. 3- Will allow him to create pseudo-peace with neighbors -- without solving any of the disputes; the only thing India will offer in return is sweet talk -- enabling him to attract foreign investment essential for fulfilling his election promises of economic development -- which in turn will make India even more stronger enabling him to deal with the neighbors on India's unfair terms. (Continued).
(Continued) Part 2 of 4
It was totally un prepared official trip by Pakistan intellectuals. Seems they are going on a picnic party rather than a official trip. Just a goodwill gesture
We will never forget Kargil and Mumbai Attack. It will be great injustice to the people who died.
Trade with India will only benefit India. I hope our PM realises that it's not 1999 anymore.
In paksitan every TV anchor is foreign analysist no any journilist gone to India all news comming from Indian Media this obvious they will give their favour news . NS clearly say that furhter talks will according Lahore accord. mostly TV anchor born after lhe Aggrement .so please shut you months atleast NS is PM of Pakistan givre some respect. evey Programe insulting PM of Paskitan where is PEMRA??
Somehow when I read certain comments on this forum I get the impression that Pakistanis think Anti Terrorist means Anti Pakistan. Does that mean they think Pakistan is Pro Terrorist??
A well prepared, pre-rehearsed insult to our Prime Minister. India and Pakistan can never be at peace because there are too many skeletons in each other's cupboards. On our side we are prepared to bury them but the Indians are not. It's better if our so-called democrats cpncentrate on good internal governance. Salams
@Nikki: Dream big the whole world knows which country in imploding.
NS, PM of Pakistan. What an embarrassment. What was he thinking when he decided to have a fun trip of Dehli.
@Nikki: says who? You??? He and his party enjoy simple majority! If the allies decide to dump the NDA (umbrella group) he still has the numbers to call the shots in the parliament and effectively pass legislations.
As far as society goes: an overwhelming 30% of Muslim vote from Muslim dominated areas such as Lucknow, Allahabad and other seats went directly to the local BJP candidate. So please inform us readers where and how would your comment / statement hold weight? Kindly quit posting insidious comments wherein you have no iota of the reasons why this man came to power!
NS red tie diplomacy with a polite face unfortunately is NOT going to work. The Indians are far too savvy for him.
Indian investigative commission proved that parliament attack, that Train incident was their own agencies planning. indians blame Pakistan in every matter, neglecting their own involvement in Pakistan through their afghanistan connections, which is clear as a sunny day. Grow up indians.....
NS on the charm offensive, quite classy the way he handled everything. The Indian side on the other hand seems not to understand what simple courtesy means.
@Nikki: Which party, there is no opposition? BJP has a majority on its own and does not need allies. Moreover parties like AIADMK are waiting to swoop in and ally with BJP. Your comment shows a total lack of understanding of India's politics.
Modi will however be focused on India's domestic issues such as economy, inflation, etc. primarily because that is what he was voted for. In international matters, I am sure Teesta watersharing with Bangladesh will be done soon. In case of Pakistan, not much can be expected except in trade due to Mumbai attacks. Modi will further ties with Japan and Brazil to never before levels.
I think there is nothing wrong in Indian demands. We shouldn't make it a matter of ego. They are right, terror networks are operating with impunity here and they are causing us more harm than them. So let's put our house in order first, and not make it about hollow slogans of patriotism.
@Nikki 80 year dream..that India will collapse and super power Pakistan will emerge and shine. Look who is having internal conflicts and collapsing and breaking...
Lets get real our relations are bad , there was an invite which was accepted that is a positive step . Our issues have not all got resolved in this visit , it would have been too much to expect , but at least we have started talking . Nothing can get resolved unless we talk and have the wisdom to try and resolve these issues .
NS unwittingly abetted Modi's whitewash campaign to present himself as a statesman on the world stage.
The Indian PM was absolutely right at pointing cross border terrorism during his talk with Pakistani PM.The Indian has never forgotten that while Vajpayee was on a goodwill trip to Pakistan,Kargil happened.Do the Pakistanis expect India to forget Mumbai carnage,Dawood's stay in Pakistan,ISI activities against India ? Pakistan has to come clean and establish her credibility to expect a hand of friendship with India.
The meeting was a positive bold and pragmatic step. Both countries should invest more in providing social services to it's citizens to improve quality of life.There should be more trade,investment and people to people exchange.
@Nikki: Modi will face internal conflict created by the parties
With that mandate noo internal parties will trouble him.And if the trouble is from Jihadi elements, we know how to handle Islamists.
NS is no more than a "Paper Lion" when it comes to handling difficult situation and diplomacy.
He need to take some statesmanship lessons from Musharraf. No leader after Musharraf stood tall in front of Indian leaders and Media. Business man can never be a good leader.
Modi will face internal conflict created by the parties,socities as well he may not be able to spare enough time on external issues.
What an insult, Indian foreign secy dictating things to our MANDATORY pm!
It was a goodwill visit by Nawaz Sharif, to proceed peace process further.. But looks, INDIAN CAN NEVER BE CHANGED..
And, it all comes crashing down. Nawaz Sharif was utterly, utterly unprepared for this trip, as he has amply showed. Unbelievable.
In India and other non moslem nations, people do business while on trips, you dont go to eat pastries and tea.
I guess its time that both countries should keeping aside all grudges and complaints, work together to spend money on their people (education,health,science). Rather than spending billions on defense budgets and exploiting people's emotions on both sides of the border