Pakistani premier to attend Indian PM-elect Modi's swearing-in

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif has accepted Indian prime minister-elect Narendra Modi's invitation to attend his swearing-in, his office said Saturday, in a bold diplomatic move aimed at mending strained ties.
Like all other heads of government from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) which includes Pakistan, Sharif had also been formally invited by India this week.
"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has decided to visit India and attend the swearing-in of... Modi," his spokesman told AFP by telephone.
Modi will take the oath as prime minister on Monday, 10 days after his right-wing Hindu nationalist BJP scored a landslide victory, securing the first majority by a single party in 30 years.
Sharif, who is himself a centre-right leader, has hailed Modi's "impressive victory" and many diplomats hope the two men can thaw ties between the nuclear-armed neighbours. – AFP