Difference among BJP allies over PM Modi's Lahore visit; separatists welcome

New Delhi/Srinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise visit to Lahore has invited mixed reactions from some of the key allies of BJP with Kashmiri separatists terming it 'a positive move' in improving the relations between India and Pakistan.

Reacting to Modi's surprise stopover in Lahore to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, who turned 66 on Friday, BJP's ally Shiv Sena asked if this sudden visit will lead to effective action against cross-border terrorism as well as terror masterminds like Dawood Ibrahim, Hafiz Saeed and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.

"Will Dawood Ibrahim be given to India after this meeting (between Modi and Sharif)? If this happens, we welcome this visit," Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut said in Mumbai.

Raut further said that Sena will welcome Modi's visit to Lahore if it leads to handing over of Dawood to India and warned against engaging in talks with a country that is 'dangerous and promotes terrorism'.

"It is not a crime for PMs to talk to PMs of other countries. In the past too, Prime Ministers, including Atalji (Bihari Vajpayee) had gone to Pakistan. But has anything changed in all these years?" he questioned.

Also Read: PM Modi's Pak visit lacks seriousness and gravitas, says Congress

Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Friday expressed the hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sudden visit to Pakistan will lead to effective action against cross-border terrorism as well as terror masterminds like Dawood, Hafiz Saeed and Lakhvi.

"Whatever may be the reasons behind the Prime Minister's surprise visit to Lahore, we hope that his tour of Pakistan leads to effective action by the neighboring country against terrorists operating from their soil", VHP international working president Pravin Togadia said in a statement issued here.

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed hails PM Modi's Lahore visit

On the other hand, senior PDP leader and J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, also a partner of the ruling establishment in the border state, welcomed Modi's surprise visit to Lahore to meet his Pakistani counterpart, saying it is a step in the right direction.

Sayeed said he was delighted by Modi's visit, which will further strengthen the bonds of friendship and usher in an era of peace and stability in the region.

"This is an evolutionary process and step in the right direction. It indicates the Prime Minister's resolve to enter into a long-term strategic partnership with Pakistan," he said.

Sayeed hoped that the meeting between the two leaders will provide the much-needed momentum to the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue for peaceful resolution of all issues between the two countries.

This initiative, besides being a great step towards improvement of bilateral relations, will also give impetus to the concept of SAARC, he added.

"It is a welcome step. This visit seems to connect the peace move of the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Lahore. This visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Lahore on Atal Ji's birthday is significant," J&K's Deputy CM Dr Nirmal Singh said.

Former CM and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah welcomed PM Modi's surprise visit and said that more than grand gestures, consistency is required to improve relationship between the two neighbouring countries.

"The re-engagement with Pakistan is a good step & a very welcome development. However more than grand gestures we need consistency," he said.

Asserting that India and Pakistan relations have been plagued by knee-jerk reactions and a lack of consistency, he hoped that the two PMs will correct it this time.

Separatists welcome PM Modi's surprise visit

Separatists welcomed Modi's visit to Lahore with moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq terming it "a positive move" and hardline faction leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani saying they have no objection to improved relations between India and Pakistan.

"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 said.

"We hope that Pakistan will also remain steadfast on its stand on Kashmir issue," Geelani added.

Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, "Modi's surprise visit to Pakistan is a positive move. People of Kashmir welcome any opportunity that bring India and Pakistan close."

"Political will and vision is needed on all sides to address issues, specially Kashmir," Mirwaiz added.

Meanwhile, Abdul Gani Bhat, head of Muslim Conference, a constituent of the moderate Hurriyat faction, said his party supports the resumption of dialogue process between India and Pakistan.

"Muslim Conference pledges support to the resumption of what is now termed as comprehensive dialogue to resolve all disputes, including of course the dispute on Kashmir, and consider this development as an effectively civilised means to move out from the frozen yesterdays to a peacefully productive tomorrow," Bhat said.

Admitting that no dialogue process has so far produced any results, Bhat said the situation now was different in the backdrop of the dynamics of global economic liberalisation as an order, which pre-supposes that peace and disputes can never co-exist.

"As such, the dispute on Kashmir will have to be resolved. Let no gloom of yesterday's blur any prospect of a better and brighter tomorrow," the Muslim Conference leader added.