Modi-Nawaz meet in Paris gets mixed response from Pakistani media | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Modi-Nawaz meet in Paris gets mixed response from Pakistani media

Hindustan Times | ByImtiaz Ahmad, Islamabad
Dec 02, 2015 09:45 PM IST

The meeting between Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Narendra Modi on the margins of the climate change conference in Paris received mixed coverage in the Pakistani media, with the mainstream Urdu media criticising it.

The meeting between Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Narendra Modi on the margins of the climate change conference in Paris received mixed coverage in the Pakistani media, with the mainstream Urdu media criticising it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Paris on the sidelines of CoP 21 summit on climate change.(PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Paris on the sidelines of CoP 21 summit on climate change.(PTI)

The English newspapers welcomed the development but some in the Urdu media suggested the meeting will help the Modi government’s “anti-Muslim agenda”.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The Urdu daily Express questioned the meeting in Paris, saying the two prime ministers should have held a proper dialogue on all outstanding issues. “The chance meeting was no chance,” said an editorial in the widely read daily.

The widely circulated Jang newspaper welcomed the meeting but hinted that “it was just a public relations exercise that served Prime Minister Modi more than it helped Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif”.

A report in the English newspaper Dawn, headlined “Sharif meets Modi: ‘exchange of courtesies’ or ‘good talks’?”, threw light on whether the leaders had “good talks” (Sharif’s version) or if the meeting was just an “exchange of courtesies” (as put by India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup).

The report from state-run Associated Press of Pakistan, used by many dailies, said Sharif and Modi had a friendly exchange and were particularly warm.

Many analysts on private news channels took a different view. Air Marshal (retired) Shahid Zulfiqar, a defence analyst, said the meeting was ill-timed as it came against the backdrop of alleged abuses against religious minorities in India.

“We should have not met him at this time. By meeting him, Sharif has endorsed all that Modi is doing,” he said.

Pakistan’s media has increasingly taken the army’s line with regard to relations with India. The army has not commented on the meeting, though quarters close to the military have been quick to criticise news of the meeting and previous meetings of the two leaders.

“The military command was not taken into confidence and this has upset them,” said another analyst, Farooq Ali.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On