New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited the 17th century Jama Masjid on Tuesday and said he had come to India to "build better ties".
Mr Sharif, who attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inauguration a day earlier, spent half hour at the sprawling sandstone mosque in the heart of Old Delhi, admiring it and its environs.
Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, quoted Mr Sharif as saying that his (Sharif's) desire was to build better ties between India and Pakistan.
"He (Sharif) told me that he has come to India with a message of peace and to build closer ties (with India)," Mr Bukhari told IANS.
Mr Sharif added that there was no specific agenda in the talks he is set to have with Mr Modi.
Accompanied by Sartaj Aziz, adviser on national security and foreign affairs, and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry, Mr Sharif had a leisurely view of Old Delhi from the elevated Mughal-built mosque.
"The prime minister said he felt as if he was in Pakistan," Mr Bukhari said. "He also said that there appeared to be no difference between this Jama Masjid and the Jama Masjid (he goes to) in Pakistan."
The Imam said he urged Mr Sharif to relax the visa norms between India and Pakistan.
"Easier visas will enable Indians and Pakistanis to make visits without hassles," he said.
"I told the prime minister that once people come together, governments will come together too."
Mr Sharif, who attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inauguration a day earlier, spent half hour at the sprawling sandstone mosque in the heart of Old Delhi, admiring it and its environs.
Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, quoted Mr Sharif as saying that his (Sharif's) desire was to build better ties between India and Pakistan.
Mr Sharif added that there was no specific agenda in the talks he is set to have with Mr Modi.
Advertisement
"The prime minister said he felt as if he was in Pakistan," Mr Bukhari said. "He also said that there appeared to be no difference between this Jama Masjid and the Jama Masjid (he goes to) in Pakistan."
Advertisement
"Easier visas will enable Indians and Pakistanis to make visits without hassles," he said.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
India Now A Major Geopolitical Actor: Ex-Singapore Diplomat On PM's Russia-Ukraine Visit British Academy Invites Applications From Academics For Visiting Fellowships 2025 PM Modi To Visit Singapore On September 4-5 To Bolster Strategic Ties Manipur Chief Minister Slams Tejashwi Yadav Over "Racist" Jab At Himanta Sarma US Millionaire, Who Died By Suicide, Owed $34 Million With $8,000 In Bank What Is Symbiosexuality? New Form Of Sexual Attraction Explained By Experts After Land Invasion And Death From Above, A New Enemy In Gaza - Polio Celebrated "Russian Spy" Whale Hvaldimir Found Dead In Norway: Report Israeli Army Announces Death Of Soldier During Ongoing Raid In West Bank Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.