Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan praises Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise visit to Pakistan. (Press Trust of India file photo)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise visit to Lahore to meet his Pakistani counterpart saying such initiatives send positive message that India is committed to have good relations with its neighbours.
"It sends positive message that India is committed to have good relations with neighbours and always willing to go extra mile to achieve it," Mr Chouhan said in a tweet last night after Mr Modi decided to land at Lahore to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
"Stop over at Lahore by PM @narendramodi to personally extend birthday greetings to his counterpart is an exceptional magnanimous gesture," he said in an another tweet.
Mr Modi yesterday sprang a surprise with a 150-minute visit to Lahore where he greeted Sharif on his birthday and also greeted family members at the marriage function of Mr Sharif's grand-daughter Mehrunnisa (daughter of Maryam Nawaz Sharif) at his Raiwind home.
Meanwhile, BJP general secretary, Kailash Vijayvargiya in Indore said that PM Modi, with his unscheduled visit to Pakistan, has proved that he has a "56-inch" chest.
"By reaching Pakistan all of a sudden Modi has proved that he is a Prime Minister with 56-inch chest. It reflected that not only India, but its Prime Minister is also a forceful leader. It was a courageous step," he said.
Mr Vijayvargiya slammed the Congress for criticising Prime Minister's bold step and said they have no concern with the country's interest.
It should be seen with a positive attitude only, he added.