Apropos the report, "Modi lands in Pakistan via birthday diplomacy" (December 26), unconventional diplomatic moves from Prime Minister Narendra Modi are nothing new even though his unscheduled stopover in Pakistan on his way back to India from Afghanistan surprised many. First, Modi extended birthday greetings to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Twitter; in reply Sharif proposed that Modi come to Pakistan and greet him personally. After being welcomed by Sharif at the Lahore airport, Modi went to the Pakistani PM's home on the outskirts of the city, where he attended the marriage ceremony of his granddaughter and had a talk with Sharif for one and a half hours.
As usual, the hawks have criticised while the doves have welcomed Modi's surprise visit. Playing down the visit, the Congress spokesperson said it had been planned and arranged by a businessman although he couldn't substantiate this claim when asked by the media.
Modi's bold move has been praised by Pakistan's foreign ministry, the United Nations secretary general and the US government. Warm personal relations between the two prime ministers may have a positive impact on talks between their countries. Pictures of Modi and Sharif in a cheerful mood on the front pages of newspapers are the photo of the year.
M C Joshi, Lucknow
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As usual, the hawks have criticised while the doves have welcomed Modi's surprise visit. Playing down the visit, the Congress spokesperson said it had been planned and arranged by a businessman although he couldn't substantiate this claim when asked by the media.
Modi's bold move has been praised by Pakistan's foreign ministry, the United Nations secretary general and the US government. Warm personal relations between the two prime ministers may have a positive impact on talks between their countries. Pictures of Modi and Sharif in a cheerful mood on the front pages of newspapers are the photo of the year.
M C Joshi, Lucknow
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number
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