World leaders, int�l media hail Modi�s Pak visit

The United States, China, the United Nations (UN) and different international media have welcomed rule-breaker Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s surprise visit to Pakistan, report agencies. A US State Department spokesman in Washington said that improved ties between the two countries would benefit the entire region. China also welcomed the surprise meeting, saying improvement in Indo-Pak ties is significant for regional peace, stability and development. “The Chinese side has noticed the report and welcomes the latest development in the Pakistan-India relationship,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lu Kang said.
“As the common neighbour and friend of both Pakistan and India, China is happy to see and will support, as always, Pakistan and India to enhance mutual trust and achieve common development through continuous dialogue,” he added.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also welcomed the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Lahore. A UN spokesperson expressed hope that the bilateral dialogue will be maintained and strengthened. When asked about the UN Chief`s response to Prime Minister Modi`s visit to Pakistan, the spokesperson said the Secretary General has long been encouraging the two countries to engage in dialogue.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947 and a lasting peace deal has so far proved elusive, with deadly violence still flaring in disputed Kashmir. Strategic experts of both the countries welcomed Narendra Modi’s historic, surprise visit to Pakistan as a major step aimed at rebuilding the derailed bilateral peace process. Former diplomats and retired generals who have dealt with Pakistan said Modi’s dramatic gesture of flying to Lahore from Afghanistan on Friday and meeting his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif was a good beginning.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi met Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif at latter`s residence Raiwind Palace, the ancestral home of the Sharifs. “In a first, both PMs flew together in a chopper to Raiwind, home of PM Nawaz Sharif,” tweeted Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs. Prime Minister Modi also wished his Pakistani counterpart on his birthday. “Birthday wishes for PM Sharif, best wishes for #IndiaPakistan relations,” tweeted Swarup. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif received his Indian counterpart at Lahore airport. Both the Prime Ministers are expected to hold meeting now. This is the first visit of Prime Minister Modi to Pakistan after assuming the office.He was accompanied by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

World leaders, int�l media hail Modi�s Pak visit

The United States, China, the United Nations (UN) and different international media have welcomed rule-breaker Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s surprise visit to Pakistan, report agencies. A US State Department spokesman in Washington said that improved ties between the two countries would benefit the entire region. China also welcomed the surprise meeting, saying improvement in Indo-Pak ties is significant for regional peace, stability and development. The Chinese side has noticed the report and welcomes the latest development in the Pakistan-India relationship, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lu Kang said. As the common neighbour and friend of both Pakistan and India, China is happy to see and will support, as always, Pakistan and India to enhance mutual trust and achieve common development through continuous dialogue, he added. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also welcomed the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Lahore. A UN spokesperson expressed hope that the bilateral dialogue will be maintained and strengthened. When asked about the UN Chief`s response to Prime Minister Modi`s visit to Pakistan, the spokesperson said the Secretary General has long been encouraging the two countries to engage in dialogue. India and Pakistan have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947 and a lasting peace deal has so far proved elusive, with deadly violence still flaring in disputed Kashmir. Strategic experts of both the countries welcomed Narendra Modis historic, surprise visit to Pakistan as a major step aimed at rebuilding the derailed bilateral peace process. Former diplomats and retired generals who have dealt with Pakistan said Modis dramatic gesture of flying to Lahore from Afghanistan on Friday and meeting his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif was a good beginning. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi met Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif at latter`s residence Raiwind Palace, the ancestral home of the Sharifs. In a first, both PMs flew together in a chopper to Raiwind, home of PM Nawaz Sharif, tweeted Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs. Prime Minister Modi also wished his Pakistani counterpart on his birthday. Birthday wishes for PM Sharif, best wishes for #IndiaPakistan relations, tweeted Swarup. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif received his Indian counterpart at Lahore airport. Both the Prime Ministers are expected to hold meeting now. This is the first visit of Prime Minister Modi to Pakistan after assuming the office.He was accompanied by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.