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LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is not too happy at his reception in India during his visit there to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi, say his party colleagues.
A senior PML-N member told Dawn on Thursday that Islamabad felt belittled when there was no joint press conference after the one-on-one meeting between the two prime ministers. Short of that Prime Minister Sharif's delegation was expecting a joint communiqué, but none was issued.
Instead New Delhi unilaterally released a press statement which did not carry Islamabad's stance. It had only a passing reference to Mr Sharif and didn't appropriately acknowledge the importance of his presence, the PML-N member said.
The abrupt and inadequate release by New Delhi, he claimed, forced Mr Sharif to hold a press conference of his own - where he read out a carefully-worded statement so that "whatever was achieved by the visit might not go waste".
The PML-N member said the government was now pinning hopes on secretary-level talks - agreed upon by Pakistan and India during Mr Sharif's visit -- for some breakthrough in improving relations with India.
Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2014
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Comments (38) Closed
Jun 06, 2014 09:22am
Must be, when Nawaz invited ex-PM Man Mohan Singh several times, made excuses, stating looking for favorable atmosphere.
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Jun 06, 2014 09:28am
So in simple words IK correctly stated that "the Indians treated him like a school kid" :D
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Jun 06, 2014 09:45am
I have often wondered what Pakistan or India reasonably expect from each other, when they totally hate each other. It is counter-intuitive to engage in any conversation that has some hope of concession from the other party. It will not happen because of utter hatred between the two.
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Jun 06, 2014 10:01am
Treating Prime Minster of Pakistan, this mean way, it is India which has belittled herself. PM has taken a huge risk, antagonizing the all powerful Army, by extending a hand of friendship. Similar act lost him his primer ship a decade ago. He was working from a position of weakness and showed courage while Modi at the height of his power, which blinded him, failed to grasp an opportunity to bring peace to the most dangerous region of the world.
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Jun 06, 2014 10:22am
"officially" the bilateral talks did not happen. No question of joint press conference
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Jun 06, 2014 10:28am
Are not the details of all visits dealt with to the last detail before such visits? And remember: this was the inauguration of India's Parliament. Not a summit between India and Pakistan,
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Jun 06, 2014 10:43am
Why is he not Happy does he thinks he is leader of a Super Power.
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Jun 06, 2014 10:46am
I don't think Pakistan matters much in India's calculations anymore. Pakistan poses no direct challenge to indian domination of South Asia.
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Jun 06, 2014 10:47am
Nawaz Sharif is an embarrassment for Pakistan. He has no clue what diplomacy is
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Jun 06, 2014 10:58am
This shows India in a bad light. It lost the advantage of the courtesy exhibited by the invite, By contrast, Sharif's dignified demeanour, on-upped Pakistan. Bravo, Shrif!
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Jun 06, 2014 11:02am
That happens when you don't listen to reason. Many people asked him not to go, he went, got humiliated and now he is sulking. What is done, is done. In the future, listen to the people.
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Jun 06, 2014 11:06am
Allow me to assure Mian Nawaz Shariff Sahab that all Indians were extremely happy that you could attend and convey your good wishes to Modi.The differences between India and Pakistan cannot be solved in one meeting,nor is the problem easy to solve.Several Presidents and Prime Ministers on both sides have tried to solve the problem in the past.The important thing is to live in peace and solve those problems where BOTH PARTIES AGREE ,such as carry out Trade and commerce,Tourist Facilities for people on either side to meet relatives and see places,and Sports.If we are able to accomplish this,we have achieved a lot.At some stage,even the VISA may be made redundant for travel between the two Countries.
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Jun 06, 2014 11:13am
Here you go! IK is the most intelligent leader of this country, he said "Nawaz was treated like school boy", finally Mian sahib has admitted this.
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Jun 06, 2014 11:36am
@raj What is end result of this HATE? A War? A nuclear War? If not to such extent, we will keep doing conspiracies against each other? Keep spending hundreds of billions of dollars in HATE and keep our countrymen deprived of basic facilities including toilets.
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Jun 06, 2014 11:37am
@mohsin IK is man of his ego. NS was representing Pakistan, not his family or person. If he was treated like that, there is nothing to feel happy, only because IK said so.
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Jun 06, 2014 11:46am
Don't worry....Everything cannot be happened according to our expectations. The visit was anyhow fruitful.
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Jun 06, 2014 11:54am
The unilateral press statement is the most pragmatic way to taking things forward. The new government which got such a big mandate has to take every step carefully since every action would be directly accountable.
Also this was not a bilateral summit, there were 7 other nation heads, which were treated in same manner.
There is time for the bilateral talks to resume. Pak should understand that the new government is cautious. It is yet to win hearts of the nation.
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Jun 06, 2014 12:14pm
The difference between Islamabad and Delhi was quite visible as how Indians take care of their foreign policy and national interest. We are ready to give passage to India to do business with central Asian States with out getting any core issues resolved. This treatment is expected for the leaders who will not take care of their country interest and will compromise on national interest due to petty business profits of few people around him.
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Jun 06, 2014 12:20pm
Nawaz shrif must have thought that he is wearing most expensive watch and
Most expensive suit and Modi will be
Very impressed. He should know he will
Only be respected if he do something for country not for shrif clan
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Jun 06, 2014 12:21pm
Well, Imran Khan was right then when he said PM was treated like a "school boy" but people here were ridiculing him unnecessarily.
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Jun 06, 2014 12:46pm
@raj - "utter hatred"??? I didn't think it was that bad.
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Jun 06, 2014 12:46pm
And to show his unhappiness he decided to send a sari to Auntie Modi.
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Jun 06, 2014 12:53pm
The expectations, all expectations, must be very clearly stated and confirmed by officials of both countries, before the visit. Why was there this diplomatic lapse by the aides of the two Prime Ministers ? .. Modi's people have a steep learning curve - they have a lot to learn on how international relations are normally conducted. This is something the Pakistani officials must have foreseen ? Why did they not make expectations of the PM clear to the Indians?
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Jun 06, 2014 12:58pm
Still he sent the sari for Modi's mother?
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Jun 06, 2014 01:01pm
@Ashok R.Prabhu : A very positive outlook. This is how the problems between the two countries will be solved.
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Jun 06, 2014 01:33pm
@FARQ
Well i agree, as earths new superpower, india should now focus its attention on mars and the worlds beyond!
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Jun 06, 2014 01:51pm
BEFORE he becomes PM of India, Modi had invited all neighbors -including Pakistan -for a simple swearing in ceremony followed by 1-on-1 meeting with head of states - nothing more. Why except joint statements / press conference etc? Why media always wants to complicate issues
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Jun 06, 2014 01:53pm
@Sohail Too much diplomacy spoils simplicity of an ocassion
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Jun 06, 2014 02:52pm
Where are all the people gone who were bashing Imran Khan on his statement on this previously?
I though Nawaz Sharif was suppossed to be a mature politician with the ability of making better calculated judgements when it comes to foreign affairs and diplomacy. Clearly Not! Really pathetic.
It's quite embarrassing for all Pakistanis really and I am sure people internationally are sitting making fun. Then again, they have every right to do so.
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Jun 06, 2014 03:23pm
This government is an embarrassment to the state of Pakistan. These so called politicians have no clue what it mean to represent the esteemed offices of government of Pakistan. Their attitudes and actions are dishonoring the state and its citizens.
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Jun 06, 2014 06:42pm
Too much expectation from an invite that's the issue. PM Modi was not in any position to commit anything yet and that's why this can be considered as a very good and very small start. PM Sharif knows this very well and all other parties around as well probably know. But some hype and tirade is needed to keep the "aawam" on the edge of their seat.
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Jun 06, 2014 08:33pm
Dont beat a dead horse-other than Indian occupied kashmir and water there is nothing to link the two nations. Dont waste time on fruitless endeavors.
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Jun 06, 2014 10:26pm
You cannot demand respect - you have to earn it! Having said that, if one continues to be humble (not desperate) and reasonable (not bending backwards), you don't give any other choice to the other party, but to reciprocate. And I hope our Prime Minister will show his maturity and avail this opportunity to bring the two countries together!
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Jun 06, 2014 10:33pm
@mansoor Why should Pakistani PM take the army's permission? In a democracy it should be the other way around. The Army generals should take the PMs permission before they say anything. That is how it works in all democracies, be it the USA, UK or Indian.
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Jun 06, 2014 11:01pm
Who told him to go?
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Jun 07, 2014 12:58am
Not sure why Mr. Sharif expects joint communique. This is an inauguration ceremony...not a bilateral meeting?
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Jun 08, 2014 06:15am
His visit should be considered a good will gesture to india. That's all. He wasn't the only premier attending. What about Bangladesh, Srilanka, Nepal or Afghanistan's premiers. How come you are do special ?
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Jun 08, 2014 06:48am
@Ashok R.Prabhu absolutely correct!
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