Pakistani journalists who were able to interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit held here on Thursday expressed their admiration of the Indian leader, adding that he was a strong and mature politician.
"I feel Prime Minister Modi is a pleasant person. He is a very strong personality. India is blessed and lucky to have a leader like him. However, he must use his strength for the improvement of the ties between Pakistan and India and sort out the problems between the two countries," one journalist told ANI.
"I think that when the Indian Prime Minister was entering into the hotel, we asked him to comment on his meeting with the Pakistani Prime Minister and he just smiled and didn't answer. I think he is a very mature politician and he can face the press with confidence," another journalist from the Islamic Republic said.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif shook hands and held 'unofficial' talks during the retreat organised by the Government of Nepal at Dhulikhel on Thursday.
Nepal TV shared a brief clip of the two leaders shaking hands warmly for several minutes and exchanging pleasantries . Both leaders were laughing during their brief conversation
The heads of government of these two nations didn't acknowledge each other during the inaugural ceremony of the 18th SAARC Summit and at the sideline meetings held at Soaltee Hotel yesterday.