New York Times - Narendra Modi of India Meets Pakistani Premier

Narendra Modi

Indian Prime Minister (in 2015)

Other viewpoints

a small step to be viewed with caution "unstatesmanlike" made no progress on terrorism or Mumbai attacks playing to the news media softening his hard image after a $7 billion arms deal with Putin

Nawaz Sharif

Prime Minister of Pakistan (in 2015)

Concerns over nuclear threat

both countries have nuclear weapons US govt officials worry that a war between the two countries could flare into a larger war concerned about India's involvement in Afghanistan

Surprise visit by Indian Prime Minister

called the Pakistani Prime Minister for his birthday and then made a surprise visit. The first in 12 years.

trip started in Afghanistan

opening of new Afghan Parliament building ($90 million from India) donations to children of Afghan security forces

Reasons for the visit

new national security advisor opportunity for positive headline under pressure from the West and Saudis to engage

interpretation of visit

shift in tone from conflict to engagement previously mixed signals

Sharif's attitude

wanted better ties with India including trade viewed with suspicion by the military Pakistani opposition was open to meeting

Prime Minister Modi first announcement of visit

Mentioned it on twitter