Birthday Diplomacy or Strategic Shift: Modi Stops Over At Lahore Via Kabul En route New Delhi From Russia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with ITBP Commandos 
at Kabul Embassy. ITBP in past has foiled many 
terror attacks on Indian Embassy in Kabul.

Shailesh Kumar

New Delhi

In a dramatic move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decides to stop at Lahore to Meet and greet his Pakistan counterpart Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on his birthday. Intereatingly, Nawaz Sharif is to recieve PM Modi at Lahore Airport. The development took place in a sudden move when PM Modi called Nawaz Sharif in the morning to extend birthday wishes; or it is a planned secret theatre between the two leaders.

Both the prime ministers had a flash meeting in Paris on the sidelines of Climate Summit.  It is yet not clear if Pakistan Army is on board for the decision of Nawaz Sharif to invite Modi as it is Pakistan Army which calls the shots. Pakistan has been accused of running a discreet policy of terror; and many terror camps are being run in PoK. India's most wanted criminal Dawood Ibrahim is also believed to be in Pakistan; besides Pakistan failed to act on accused involved in perpetuating 26/11 Mumbai attack.

It is yet not clear what has suddenly led the Modi Government to engage with Pakistan in fast forward mode. Back at home, PM Modi faces severe criticism from opposition even while allies question his visit. Many experts term him being inconsistent and secretive on his engagements with Pakistan.