Modi’s ‘Surprise’ Visit to Pakistan Makes Congress Suspicious

PM Modi recently visited Pakistan en route to India from Afghanistan. Political parties question this detour.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif greets Prime Minister Modi in Lahore. (Photo: The Quint)

Despite other reports, Congress, in a bold statement, claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stop over in Lahore was “pre-arranged”. The party accused Modi and his government of pursuing a Pakistan policy in “fits and starts and abrupt U-turns”.

BJP ally Shiv Sena and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) asked if the visit will enable India to get hold of Dawood Ibrahim, Hafiz Saeed and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and dismantle terror syndicates in Pakistan acting against India.

Will Dawood Ibrahim be given to India after today’s meeting (between Modi and Sharif)? If this happens, we welcome this visit.

Sanjay Raut, Sena Spokesman

Questioning the intent behind his visit, Congress also rejected the claims made by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj that the Prime Minister’s move was statesmanlike and claimed that the visit was “pre-arranged” by a businessman.

We are very clear that the Prime Minister is there to promote only private business interests and not India’s national interest which should be supreme. Diplomacy is serious, it must have gravitas and predictability. It cannot be frivolous, otherwise, it will implode on Shri Narendra Modi’s face.

Anand Sharma, Congress Senior Spokesperson

PM Modi and his counterpart PM Sharif walk hand-in-hand at the Lahore airport. (Photo: AP)

VHP international working president Pravin Togadia said in a statement issued in Allahabad that he, like everyone else, hopes that “our dashing and dynamic PM Modiji’s intervention will bring about a radical change”.

Pakistan is also the land where 1993 Mumbai serial blasts accused and underworld Dawood Ibrahim has been hiding for more than two decades. The neighbouring country has so far been in a state of denial in this regard.

Pravin Togadia, VHP international working president

Congress claims Modi’s move to be pre-planned. (Photo: PTI)

In Srinagar, Kashmiri separatists welcomed Modi’s visit with moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq terming it “a positive move” and hardline faction leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani saying they have no objection to improved relations between India and Pakistan.

We do not have any issues with relations improving between India and Pakistan... No right thinking persons shall have any reservation on it. However, the two countries have to address the Kashmir issue as per wishes and aspirations of the people if these endeavours are to succeed.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Hardline Faction Leader

Modi’s shocking detour to Pakistan left Congress suspicious, but our Prime Minister was not deterred from sharing his experience.

(With inputs from agencies.)