Sir — This refers to the editorial, “An act of a statesman” (December 28). Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise visit to Pakistan has befuddled his supporters and critics alike. Ever since Mr Modi assumed office in May 2014, he made it clear that he wants to do things differently.
This became evident when Mr Modi invited the leaders of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation for his swearing-in ceremony. This was a grand gesture. However, at the time, it wasn’t clear if this move would lead to improvements in India’s relations with its neighbouring countries.
The ripple waves from the journey to lahore go beyond imparting personal warmth in India-Pakistan bilateral ties. The brief Modi-Nawaz Sharif conversation should empower diplomacy to iron out procedural wrinkles and accommodate each other’s political limitations before the Foreign Secretaries meet scheduled for next month.
True, this visit cannot be treated as a talisman which can dissolve all the prickly issues that bedevil India-Pakistan relations, but one thing is sure: Of all the anniversaries observed on December 25 on either side, the one contrived between the two Prime Ministers may become the most remarked upon — even celebrated.