Delhi: When Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a stopover in Lahore to wish Nawaz Sharif on his birthday while flying back to Delhi on December 25, he surprised and stunned many in both India and Pakistan.
And while in Lahore, PM Modi bonhomie with his Pakistani counterpart was visible to all.
After coming back to Delhi PM Modi had tweeted:
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
While the above developments will lead to a substantial move forward in Indo-Pak relations or not is for posterity.
But for the time being, Sharif seems to be appreciating the hand of friendship extended by the Indian PM.
This was evident from the fact that Sharif on Sunday wore the pink turban gifted to him by PM Modi for his granddaughter's wedding.
A source at Sharif's Jati Umrah residence told PTI that the Pakistani PM had donned the "Indian Rajasthani pink turban" gifted to him by Modi during the Indian premier's visit on Friday.
"Wearing the gifted turban of Mr Modi itself shows that Mr Sharif's sincere intention towards the neighbouring country. Besides, it also demonstrates that Mr Sharif values the gift of Mr Modi," the PML-N source said.
Mehrun Nisa, daughter of Maryam Nawaz, married Raheel Munir, son of well known industrialist Chaudhry Munir, who was the first to shake hands with Modi when he got off the car at Jati Umrah outside Lahore on Friday evening.
Modi had congratulated Sharif on the wedding of his granddaughter and also presented him gifts.
(With Agency inputs)
