INDIA
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has confirmed his attendance at Narendra Modi's swearing in ceremony to be held on May 26. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz is also expected to accompany Sharif to the event. The Pakistani premier's attendance will be a first in the history of the nuclear-armed rivals, which have fought three wars since independence in 1947.
Major parties in Jammu and Kashmir welcomed the Pakistan Prime Minister's move to accept the invitation to the swearing-in ceremony.
The People's Democratic Party (PDP) has welcomed the decision and hopes this would do good to the India-Pakistan relations. They hoped this would help the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and bring in resolution to the issues faced by Kashmiris.
"We welcome the decision of Pakistan premier to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Modi as Prime Minister (on Monday)."
"We hope that the two PMs would be able to carry the public opinion in their countries and respond positively to the need for a dignified and lasting peace in the sub-continent," PDP chief Mehboob Mufti said in a statement.
"Nawaz Sharif by accepting the invitation with grace and showing respect to Modi's initiatives has introduced an element of much needed positivity to the Modi's stint as the PM of the country," she added.
She said the occasion would introduce a lot of positivity in the relations of the two neighbouring countries.
"Unfortunately, Kashmir has been the worst victim of the hostilities between the two," Mehbooba said, adding, for Jammu and Kashmir that would be the biggest gift of the new PM and it could work as a major Confidence Building Measure for developing a more inclusive agenda for his government.
National Conference's (NC) Omar Abdullah too was glad that the Pakistan PM had accepted the invitation to Modi's swearing-in. he said that this will mark a new beginning in Indo-Pak ties
"Very glad to hear Pak PM has accepted invite, shows that he can prevail over forces inimical to good relations with India," Omar wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.
Very glad to hear Pak PM has accepted invite, shows that he can prevail over forces inimical to good relations with India. 1/2
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) May 24, 2014
Abdullah said the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be closely watching the developments. "I hope that this will mark a new beginning in ties between our two countries. The people of J&K will be watching closely," he said.
I hope that this will mark a new beginning in ties between our two countries. The people of J&K will be watching closely. 2/2
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) May 24, 2014
The Chief Minister also opined that the Modi-Sharif handshake will overshadow the presence of other foreign dignitaries attending Modi's swearing in ceremony on Monday. "Can't help feel sorry for others taking oath or attending because the only photo op that will matter now will be the Modi-Sharif handshake," he said.
Can't help feel sorry for others taking oath or attending because the only photo op that will matter now will be the Modi-Sharif handshake.
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) May 24, 2014
Mehbooba too said while Modi's initiative of inviting all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) leaders was a welcome step, the focus of attention remained as to how the Pakistan Prime Minister would respond to the invite
Referring to the stalled peace process initiated by the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, she said the new beginning should lead to progress on resolution of Kashmir and other issues and the Confidence
Building Measure (CBMs) along the Line-of-Control (LoC) need to be carried further.
"There is a need for a sustained dialogue which should not get interrupted by the events as has been case in the past," she added.
(With agency inputs)
‘Another example of…’: MEA on Canada labelling India ‘cyber adversary’
'Bhai kyu jhooti tassali....': Mrunal Thakur criticizes fan who photoshopped her in Diwali pic
Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani set to earn money from Singham Again's box office collection, here’s how
Adani Power cuts Bangladesh electricity supply by half due to $846 million unpaid bills
Here's what is happening inside Ratan Tata’s Bombay House since after death of business magnate
Virat Kohli dispels retirement rumours, suggests he may continue playing cricket till....
Meet man, highest UPSC exam scorer, who broke IAS Tina Dabi's record, he is...
Swati Maliwal pours bottle of polluted water outside Delhi CM Atishi’s residence; WATCH
IPL 2025: R Ashwin tops CSK's wishlist as franchise plans to utilize RTM for THIS New Zealand star
'Dusre ki biwi ko cheen ke...': Arya Babbar roasts Arjun Kapoor for Singham Again villain role
'Abki baar...': AI imagines Donald Trump, Kamala Harris as Indian politicians, netizens react, WATCH
Amid bomb threats, ammunition cartridges found in Dubai-Delhi Air India flight
This Indian king, was first man to make history by marrying foreign woman during his trip to...
Mukesh Ambani's Jio once again TOPPED in global telecom industry, sets record in...
Bhai Dooj 2024: Date, shubh muhurat, significance, rituals and more
New ‘Satoshi Nakamoto’ emerges: Meet man who declares himself to be Bitcoin founder but fails to...
Watch: Former CSK star gets hit for 6 sixes in an over against England during Hong Kong Sixes
'Makes no sense': Ex-India star slams Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir for absurd Sarfaraz Khan decision
World's richest man Elon Musk faces lawsuit from Ex-Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal for...
Security forces kill 2 terrorists, including a foreign national in Jammu and Kashmir
WWE Crown Jewel 2024: Full match card, timing, live streaming details - All you need to know
'Absurd and baseless': India dismisses Canadian minister's allegations against Amit Shah
IND vs NZ: Virat Kohli scripts history in Mumbai Test, becomes first player in world to...
This 51-year-old woman leaves husband to marry 30-year-old Indian security guard
Mukesh Ambani's best plan for Jio users, 200GB data, 90 days of unlimited calls at just Rs...
'Thanks for...': Abhishek Bachchan's viral statement amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai
Jammu and Kashmir: 2 terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Anantnag
21-Day Mars, Moon simulation in Ladakh
Prashant Kishor's fee for advising in one election will leave you shocked, it is Rs...
Dua Padukone Singh: Here's how Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh named their baby girl
Another BIG move by Mukesh Ambani, set to provide some help for debt-ridden Ghana as Reliance Jio...
J-K: Gun battle breaks out between security forces and terrorists in Srinagar's Khanyar
Noel Tata takes BIG decision at TCS after Ratan Tata's death, plans to hire...
'Will chop them up...': Mithun Chakraborty hits out at TMC’s Humayun Kabir at Kolkata rally
Delhi Air Pollution: Delhi-NCR AQI turns ‘very poor’ as city wakes up to toxic smog post-Diwali
Gautam Adani's next BIG step: Adani Power stops Bangladesh’s power supply due to...
Indian troops start patrolling Demchok sector in eastern Ladakh following India-China disengagement
Amy Jackson announces first pregnancy with husband Ed Westwick, flaunts baby bump in adorable pics
In THIS Indian village, families live with cobras, the reason is...
Hardik Pandya flaunts his special 'World Champion' ring after being retained by MI, video goes viral
Happy Govardhan Puja 2024: Top 50 WhatsApp wishes, messages, quotes for loved ones
Despite massive Diwali opening, is Singham Again paying the price for banking on huge star cast?
Shah Rukh Khan's heartfelt gesture towards jewellery store staff wins internet, watch
DNA TV Show: Public calls out celebrities’ hypocrisy on Diwali pollution
Fashion designer Rohit Bal dies at 63: Last year, he was on ventilator for heart ailments
BCCI scraps India's intra squad warm-up game ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy, reason revealed
Legendary fashion designer Rohit Bal dies at 63 after prolonged illness
Another terrorist attack in J-K, militants shoot two non-locals in Budgam