Shiv Sena gives thumbs up to Modi-Sharif meet in Paris

The Shiv Sena on Wednesday approved the brief meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the UN Climate Summit in Paris and said that the ball was now in Islamabad's court to take the next step for bringing an end to the hostility between the two Asian neighbours.

"Its basic protocol when two Prime Ministers meet. Prime Minister Modi showed true Indian spirit and displayed our culture by having a civil meeting, but now it is up to Pakistan to see how they take ahead this new development," Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut told ANI here.

However, he added that he did not have high expectations from the neighbouring nation given their history with India.

"You can be as nice as you can with Pakistan and can say sweet things but in return you must expect them to spew venom," Raut said.

The Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna has lauded Prime Minister Modi's 'tolerance' for shaking hands with Sharif and said the furore over intolerance in the country should now subside with this display of tremendous tolerance.

"Modi has shown huge tolerance by shaking hands with Sharif. Even if the other (party) raises hand, we should fold ours. This is our tolerance and Modi has displayed it. Modi is doing whatever he can to bring good days to the country and he is touring and flying on a massive scale for the same," the editorial read.

The Shiv Sena has been vehemently protesting against any cultural and sporting ties with the neighbouring country and has opposed the presence of many Pakistani artists in India.

They have also slammed the Board of Control for Cricket in India for planning a series with Pakistan in Sri Lanka.

"It seems as if the 26/11 was not a blood-shed and Pakistan had sent its cricket team who made a double century by killing innocent people and 20 policemen. It looks like Sri Lanka has been chosen to award Kasab and his team with medals." the Shiv Sena editorial said.

The Shiv Sainiks had earlier stormed a meeting between BCCI president Shashank Manohar and PCB chairman Shahryar Khan in Mumbai where a discussion was underway regarding the bilateral series.