JDU calls for fresh start in Indo-Pak relations

Janata Dal - United (JD-U) leader K.C.Tyagi on Sunday welcomed the change in stance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) towards Pakistan and called for a fresh start in the relations between the two countries.

"We welcome the change in stance of the BJP towards Pakistan. Modi and Sharif should start afresh with the relations between the two countries," said Tyagi.

"The BJP has been raising the issue of terrorism and incursion for past so many years. So this is an opportunity to raise these issues. Peace should prevail between the two countries," he added.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will arrive here tomorrow to attend the swearing in ceremony of Prime Minister designate Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers.

He would be accompanied by his Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry, among others.

The announcement by the Prime Minister's Office yesterday ended the suspense over Sharif's visit that was being opposed by the hardliners in the establishment in Islamabad.

Sharif will also call on President Pranab Mukherjee and will hold a bilateral meeting with Narendra Modi on Tuesday morning.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin on Saturday confirmed that Pakistan Prime Minister would be attending the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi on Monday evening.

"Can confirm that we have received communication that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has accepted invitation of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi," Syed Akbaruddin said.

"All eight leaders of countries we invited for Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony have confirmed their participation," he added.

The swearing-in ceremony, to be held at the forecourt of the historic Rashtrapati Bhavan, is likely to be attended by as many as 3,000 guests.