WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday made a surprise visit to Pakistan to meet Nawaz Sharif in a move that evoked positive reactions across the globe.
The US welcomed Modi-Sharif meeting, saying that improved ties between the two countries will benefit the entire region.
“We welcome the December 25 talks between PM Modi and PM Sharif in Lahore. As we have long said, better relations between neighbours India and Pakistan will benefit the people of the entire region,” a state department spokesman said.
UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon also welcomed the surprise meeting between the two leaders in Lahore, hoping that the bilateral dialogue will be maintained and strengthened going forward.
“The secretary-general has long been encouraging both leaders of the two countries to engage in dialogue. He obviously welcomes this visit and this step in the right direction and he hopes that the dialogue will be maintained and strengthened,” a UN spokesperson said when asked about the UN chief’s response to Modi’s visit to Pakistan.
