Pak PM boards flight to attend Modi's swearing-in

Will be first Pak leader to attend an oath-taking ceremony in India

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today left for India with a "message of peace" to attend the oath taking ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, becoming the first ever Pakistani leader to do so.

He is expected to land in the Capital before noon.

Pakistan wants good relations with India and I am going to New Delhi with a "message of peace", Sharif said in his informal talks to media just before the departure from Lahore airport.

Sources said it is expected that the Pakistan leader will also give formal invitation to his counterpart for a visit.

The News last night reported that Sharif met his younger brother Shahbaz Sharif along with others in Lahore and discussed the visit.

"The premier said Pakistan wanted the resolution of all issues with India, including Kashmir, Sir Creek, water and trade, and it wanted to establish a relationship on the basis of equality for peace in the region," the paper said, citing unnamed sources.

In the meeting, Sharif said the government's decision to release arrested Indian fishermen as a goodwill gesture and giving back the confiscated fishing boats for the first time in the history of the two sides was aimed at improving the ties.

No breakthrough is expected during the visit but it will provide the two leaders an opportunity to cultivate personal relations which go a long a way in reducing tensions.