Pakistan, India agree to enhance ties following Modi's surprise visit to Lahore
- By Web Desk -
- Dec 25, 2015
Indian Prime Minister reached Pakistan on Friday for a short state visit.
The spokesman had said that Modi’s plane will land at Lahore Airport at 03:00 pm PST. However, the aircraft reached its destination at 04.20 pm.
Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to set foot in Pakistan in 11 years. Today’s is the sixth meeting between the two PMs
Narendra Modi has chosen the birthday of Pakistan’s founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah to make his maiden visit to Pakistan — speaks of symbolism.
He hugged PM Sharif as soon as he landed in Lahore.
Indian Prime Minister had earlier tweeted that he is looking forward to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Lahore today.
“Looking forward to meeting PM Nawaz Sharif in Lahore today afternoon, where I will drop by on my way back to Delhi”, Modi tweeted.
Looking forward to meeting PM Nawaz Sharif in Lahore today afternoon, where I will drop by on my way back to Delhi.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2015
Heavy contingents of law enforcement agencies were deployed at Lahore Airport. He also tweeted earlier that he spoke to PM Nawaz and wished his birthday wishes.
Spoke to PM Nawaz Sharif & wished him on his birthday. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2015
That’s like a statesman. Padosi se aise hi rishte hone chahiyen. https://t.co/dM26am9tWf
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 25, 2015
Modis surprise visit to Pakistan a positive move,people of kashmir welcome any opportunity that bring India Pak close,political will1/2
— Mirwaiz Umar Farooq (@MirwaizKashmir) December 25, 2015
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08.10pm – The Indian premier seemed to be delighted with his Pakistan visit and subsequent cordial treatment by his Pakistani counterpart, which he expressed in his tweets, following his departure from Lahore.
Spent a warm evening with Sharif family at their family home. Nawaz Sahab’s birthday & granddaughter’s marriage made it a double celebration — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2015
Am personally touched by Nawaz Sharif Sahab ‘s gesture of welcoming me at Lahore airport and coming to the airport when I left.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2015
07.35pm – Briefing media shortly after Narendra Modi departed for India from Lahore, Aizaz Chaudhry said the Indian premier telephoned PM Sharif in the morning and wished to visit Pakistan, which the Pakistani premier welcomed and so this visit took place.
Foreign secretary briefs media on Modi visit by arynews
They resolved to work jointly for improving the relations between the two neighboring states and boost peace process for the betterment of the people on both sides of the border, he added.
07.00pm – PM Narendra Modi left for India from Lahore airport. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif waved hand as his Indian counterpart climbed the stairs up his aircraft.
06.23pm – Narendra Modi departed from Jati Umra after holding a meeting with PM Nawaz Sharif. The Pakistan premier is accompanying his Indian counterpart to the Lahore airport through a chopper, where from PM Modi will fly back to India.
06.00pm – A meeting between the Pak-India premier is underway at Jati Umra. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif and other high-ups were also present on the occasion.
05.48pm – Indian PM Modi extended birthday greetings to Nawaz Sharif.
05.12pm – Sources said that the Indian PM Modi will stay at his Pakistani counterpart’s residence for an hour. He is expected to meet the family members of Nawaz Sharif.
05.05pm – The helicopter carrying Pakistani and Indian prime ministers has landed at Sharif Medical City in Raiwind’s Jati Umra.
4.47 pm – Discussion on all outstanding issues will be held between the two prime ministers.
4.43pm – Indian PM Modi flies with PM Sharif to Jati Umra in a helicopter after landing in Lahore. Only state media is allowed inside Jati Umra.
04.38pm – 
04.26pm – 
04.23pm – The flight schedule has been severely affected due to Indian PM’s visit to Pakistan. The flights reaching have been diverted to different destinations.
04.21pm – Indian Premier Narendra Modi’s aircraft lands in Pakistan.
04.09pm –
03.46pm – 
03.27pm – Indian PM Modi has expressed his wishes to have lunch with his Pakistani counterpart in Lahore.
History of state visits made by Indian prime ministers to Pakistan
Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Pakistan when he came to Karachi on 25th July to 27th July.
Jawaharlal Nehru again visited Pakistan from 19th to 23rd September 1960 to sign the Indus Water Treaty.
Rajiv Gandhi became the second Indian Prime Minister to make the state visit to the country from 29th to 31st December 1988. He met former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and several agreements were signed between the two countries.
Gandhi’s second state visit to Pakistan took palace from 16th to 17th July 1989. No significant achievements were made during the visit.
Atal Bihari Vajapayee was the third Indian prime minister to reach Pakistan as he came to the country from 19th to 20th February during the Nawaz Sharif’s government. He travelled to Lahore on Lahore-Delhi bus service.
Vajapayee again toured Pakistan from January 4th to January 6th to take part in the 12th SAARC summit in Islamabad.