Modi to meet Nawaz Sharif in surprise Pakistan visit today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he would meet Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Lahore on Friday in first visit to Pakistan by an Indian premier in more than 10 years. “Looking forward to meeting PM Nawaz Sharif in Lahore today afternoon, where I will drop by on my way back to Delhi,” Modi said on Twitter. “Spoke to PM Nawaz Sharif & wished him on his birthday,” he said. The Indian prime minister made the surprise announcement as he concluded his visit to Afghanistan with an address to the Afghan parliament. Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj confirmed the meeting between the two leaders. “That’s like a statesman,” Swaraj said on Twitter. “One should have such relations with the neighbours,” she added. Earlier Friday, in his speech to the Afghan parliament, Modi urged closer cooperation between India, Pakistan and other neighbours for Afghanistan’s progress. “We know that Afghanistan’s success will require the cooperation and support of each of its neighbours. And, all of us in the region — India, Pakistan, Iran and others — must unite … behind this common purpose,” Modi said.