Modi Lahore visit.: Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif greets PM Modi in Lahore on Friday. Modi Lahore visit.: Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif greets PM Modi in Lahore on Friday.

In an unprecedented diplomatic development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Lahore on Friday evening to meet his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his way back from Afghanistan. Earlier in the day, he made an announcement on Twitter about the stopover to meet Sharif, who is incidentally celebrating his birthday on December 25.

READ: Security in Lahore on high alert ahead of PM Modi’s visit

PM Modi lands in Pakistan. Do you think this is a diplomatic victory for the PM? — The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) December 25, 2015

Here are the highlights:

READ: Personally touched by Sharif’s welcome: PM Narendra Modi

9:15 pm:



Hum rishta sudharne ki poori koshish mein lage hain,lekin Bharat ke svabhimaan ke saath-Giriraj Singh,Union Minister pic.twitter.com/1L6B3ieWKo — ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2015

9:00 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi tonight returned home from his three-nation visit which took him to Russia, Afghanistan and a surprise stop-over in Pakistan.

READ: Modi’s favourite ‘saag, cooked in desi ghee’ and other delicacies at Sharif’s home

8:55 pm:

PM Narendra Modi arrives at former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s residence in Delhi to wish him on his birthday pic.twitter.com/1vm7Oxyz1u — ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2015

7:48 pm: Both leaders expressed desire to carry forward dialogue process for larger good of people of both nations: Aizaz Chaudhary, Pak Foreign Secy

7:40 pm: Talks with India will be taken forward: Pak foreign secretary

7:38 pm:



PM Narendra Modi boards flight for Delhi (source: MEA) pic.twitter.com/eTUcJ1cA6A — ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2015

7:32 pm:



Infusing a positive spirit in the neighborhood. PM @narendramodi departs from Pakistan after a few hours in Lahore pic.twitter.com/Fdo22pM0E2 — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

6:50 pm:



PM Narendra Modi and PM Nawaz Sharif leave from latter’s residence #ModiInLahore (source: PTV) pic.twitter.com/RTw0IYvEfn — ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2015

6:30 pm: We are clear that the PM is there to promote his own interests and not national interest: Anand Sharma, Congress.

SEE PICS: Modi in Lahore: Nawaz welcomes birthday guest

6:20 pm:



Beyond the noise, a personal connect. The Prime Ministers discuss #IndiaPakistan relations in Raiwind pic.twitter.com/kzXNmwRqys — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

6:10 pm:



Family matters. PM visits PM Sharif’s home in a special gesture, where his grand-daughter’s wedding is being held pic.twitter.com/nWj9hQvugy — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

6:00 pm:

In a first, both PMs flew together in chopper to Raiwind, home of PM Nawaz Sharif pic.twitter.com/z2JQLjQFB6 — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

5:55 pm:



Birthday wishes for PM Sharif, best wishes for #IndiaPakistan relations. PM @narendramodi with PM Sharif pic.twitter.com/yrz83dikB9 — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

5:53 pm:



WATCH: PM Narendra Modi & Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif at latter’s residence in Lahore (source: PTV) https://t.co/rBnseJ6NlM — ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2015

5:50 pm: “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,” Geelani told PTI.

5:45 pm:



PM Narendra Modi & Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif at latter’s residence in Lahore (source: PTV) pic.twitter.com/yQ6Y3mp10l — ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2015

5:40 pm:

PM Narendra Modi & Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif at latter’s residence in Lahore (source: PTV) pic.twitter.com/ZpDyqcck7D — ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2015

5:37 pm: AAP wondered as to what was the change that prompted Modi to visit Lahore when BJP opposed talks with Pakistan.

5:34 pm: A PM House spokesman here said the Indian premier would stay in Lahore for about two hours.

5:32 pm: Opposition reacts to PM Modi’s Pakistan visit. Read: JD (U) ‘shocked’, Omar welcomes gesture

5:28 pm: The last visit to Pakistan by an Indian prime minister was in 2004 by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose 91st birthday fell today and who is credited with bringing about a thaw in relations with Islamabad.

5:23 pm: The agenda of the meeting is not known but the two leaders are expected to discuss major issues which have rocked ties between the two countries.

5:20 pm: Modi was accorded a red carpet welcome as PM’s special IAF Boeing 737 plane made a smooth touchdown at 4.20 local time(4.50 IST). He then took a chopper to proceed to Sharif’s Raiwind palatial residence in the outskirts of Lahore.

5:12 pm:



WATCH: PM Narendra Modi arrives in Lahore, received by Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif (Source: PTV) https://t.co/MAssiVTExX — ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2015

5:10 pm:



PM Narendra Modi arrives in Lahore, received by Pak PM Nawaz Sharif (Source: PTV) pic.twitter.com/aBILcTJsyA — ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2015

5.05 pm: Sharif present at airport to greet Modi. The two leaders board a chopper on way to the Pakistan PM’s residence.

PM @narendramodi has landed in Lahore. — PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 25, 2015

PM Narendra Modi lands in Lahore: PTV pic.twitter.com/88NsEanIU5 — ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2015

4:22 pm: “I am stunned and shocked. At this moment, I can think of beheaded Hemraj,” said JD(U) leader KC Tyagi.

4:20 pm: JD(U) said it was “stunned” by the decision, especially in the wake of violations by the neighbouring country on the border, including the beheading of an Indian jawan.

Indo-Pak relations have been plagued by knee-jerk reactions & a lack of consistency. Looking towards two PMs to correct this this time. — Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) December 25, 2015

The re-engagement with Pakistan is a good step & a very welcome development. However more than grand gestures we need consistency. — Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) December 25, 2015

Now waiting for the statement from J&K Govt claiming that Mufti Syed was the one who forced PM Modi to visit Lahore today. — Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) December 25, 2015

Farewell Kabul! PM @narendramodi departs from Afghanistan, is seen off by CEO @DrAAbdullah, pic.twitter.com/mtp6NIRuvU — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

CEO Abdullah and PM @narendramodi at the airport. PM will travel to Lahore where he will meet PM Nawaz Sharif. pic.twitter.com/NJv0IXoGse — PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 25, 2015 Long time friend of India, architect of bilateral relations, PM @narendramodi with former President @KarzaiH pic.twitter.com/kEds5q4dyw — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

Looking forward to meeting PM Nawaz Sharif in Lahore today afternoon, where I will drop by on my way back to Delhi. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2015 Bridge builders and changemakers. PM spends time with Indians who work for the reconstruction of Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/qwlyD1SuND — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj commended the move, calling it ‘statesman-like.’

That’s like a statesman. Padosi se aise hi rishte hone chahiyen. https://t.co/dM26am9tWf — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 25, 2015

This will be the first visit by PM Modi to Pakistan after he was voted to power last year.

Read: Mapping PM Modi’s foreign trips in 2015

Sharif had made his visit to India last year when he attended PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi. Both leaders have conducted several meetings on the sidelines of summits and conferences in foreign countries.

Click to read in Hindi: PM मोदी काबुल एयरपोर्ट के लिए रवाना हुए, लाहौर एयरपोर्ट पर शरीफ के साथ 2 घंटे की मुलाकात

The relations between India and Pakistan have witnessed some positive developments after a chill lasting several months. The two countries recently decided to launch a comprehensive dialogue after PM Modi and Sharif met on the sidelines of the Paris climate change conference.

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj had earlier met Sharif in Islamabad at the Heart of Asia conference.

PM Modi had landed earlier today in Kabul where he held talks with President Ashraf Ghani and inaugurated the new Parliament building. He had also made a visit to Moscow where he held comprehensive discussions with President Vladimir Putin and inked several deals.

(With PTI inputs)

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