New Delhi: The Secret meeting between Modi’s envoy and Pakistani officials has been confirmed. Washington-based energy consultant Jitendra Kumar reportedly travelled to Islamabad and met Pakistan foreign secretary Aizaz Choudhury and special advisor Sartar Aziz on April 4.
After his return from Islamabad, Kumar, informed BJP top leadership about the secret meeting and is expected to submit the report based on his meeting to Narendra Modi soon.
As Pakistan-bashing gains some traction in the BJP’s election campaign, Modi has sought to calm the fears it has generated in the region and beyond.
Modi sending emissaries to Pakistan clearly indicates a recognition of the need to reassure leaders across the border that, were he to become prime minister, he would not be throwing a grenade at the bilateral relationship. Equally important is Modi’s reported outreach to separatist leaders in Kashmir and his decision to clear the confusion on India’s nuclear policy created by the BJP manifesto.
Modi also appears to have understood the need to address the widespread international concern that a government led by him might abandon India’s traditional nuclear restraint and adopt the more risky approaches.