PM sends mangoes to Indian leaders

E-Paper | June 23, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has sent a gift of mangoes to Indian leaders for promoting goodwill.

The mangoes were sent last week to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Pranab Mukherjee, former premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi.

Mangoes have long been part of diplomacy and have been sent by Pakistani prime ministers to their Indian counterparts every year.

Also read: Sharif sends sari for Modi’s mother

However, the timing of the delivery of the gift this year coincided with shelling by Indian forces of villages across the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary last Thursday.

Three people were killed near the Working Boundary and a teenage girl near the LoC.

Indian High Commissioner T.C.A. Raghavan was summoned to the Foreign Office over the incident and the Pakistan Army lodged a complaint with the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan.

The Indian Border Security Force wished to deliver sweets to the Rangers on the Eid day but they were refused because of the hostilities on the Working Boundary and the Line of Control.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2015

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Usman

Jul 23, 2015 06:47am

Good work! They only deserve mangoes!!!!

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ROHIT PANDEY

Jul 23, 2015 06:48am

Send me some?:)

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Abhay Kumar

Jul 23, 2015 06:58am

Wish all in Pakistan, Happy Eid!!!!!

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Jul 23, 2015 07:01am

Why??

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Shaukat Ali Khan

Jul 23, 2015 07:12am

India has its own mangoes; does it reciprocate?

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kaushal

Jul 23, 2015 07:19am

thanks...

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Observer

Jul 23, 2015 07:20am

Please stop this drama and all the fights! Let common people live in peace.

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Anwar Amjad

Jul 23, 2015 07:20am

A gesture as good as wastage of mangoes!

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Blue Saffron

Jul 23, 2015 07:30am

Is this a joke?

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Basuki

Jul 23, 2015 07:43am

Both the countries should forget the recent incident and move forward with a determination for peace and harmony.Thanks Pakistan.Happy

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Sunil

Jul 23, 2015 07:51am

What was the response from Modi? Did he tweet as usual?

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Freeda

Jul 23, 2015 07:51am

This is a chidish and unnecessary gesture. It is a waste of time for everyone involved in sending them to their destination, and often the mangoes become over-ripe by the time they reach. At Presidential and PM level formal written greetings are in keeping with protocol and more appropriate.

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Nilesh

Jul 23, 2015 07:52am

Decent PM... Now everyone will start criticising him... I feel sorry for Mr Nawaz Sharif

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Tariq K Sami

Jul 23, 2015 07:54am

Why Mangoes for only Indian PM. There are others in the region as well. Be respectful of all your neighbors.

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Tariq K Sami

Jul 23, 2015 07:55am

The best Pakistani mango is Sindri and is available in Dubai.

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Zak

Jul 23, 2015 08:03am

Our PM is a die hard optimist, a peacemaker and a globally respected statesman.

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Kala Ingrez - کالا انگریز - काला अंग्रेज - কালো ইংরাজি

Jul 23, 2015 08:06am

No wonder, we do not see Pakistani mangoes in Toronto?

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Ahmed USA

Jul 23, 2015 08:14am

Overheard... Mangoes were probably "Chaunsa"... recipient enjoyed the Mangoes very much... consider them as the best Mangoes in the world...

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ZAK

Jul 23, 2015 08:23am

I sent some mangoes to my neighbor also.

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Abs

Jul 23, 2015 08:36am

Send me some in uk please, best pakistani mango is chaunsa

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Rashi

Jul 23, 2015 08:36am

Let them enjoy those Pakistani mangoes

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sanjay bisht

Jul 23, 2015 08:37am

Waste of time . we have much better mangos in india

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Satt

Jul 23, 2015 08:41am

O...that's why Pakistan refused our sweets,they wanted to exchange mangoes.Bhai pehle batan chayiye (Brother you should tell us little before).

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Sudhir Neyalasinger

Jul 23, 2015 08:42am

@Tariq K Sami That's because Indian PM has been elected by `Aam Admi'

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JHK

Jul 23, 2015 09:00am

@sanjay bisht Respectfully disagree. Last couple of weeks here in US. I had mangoes from india and now this week from Pakistan. Indian mangoes are Good but cant compare with chaunsas i just had.

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Sanjoy Sankar Guha

Jul 23, 2015 09:01am

@Sudhir Neyalasinger Nawaz Sharif should properly have sent some to Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party.

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Abu-Salmaan

Jul 23, 2015 09:07am

@Tariq K Sami No mango can beat Anwar Rathol, Chaunsa is much better than Sindri.

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Sonny Afridi

Jul 23, 2015 09:07am

@Abs true!

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Sonny Afridi

Jul 23, 2015 09:07am

@sanjay bisht no you don't

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Abu-Salmaan

Jul 23, 2015 09:15am

@sanjay bisht You will forget Indian mangoes after tasting Pakistani Anwar Rathol, Chaunsa and Multani Langrda they are heavenly you just can't imagine, I have seen Indian mangoes, Pakistanis are the best period.

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Mullah Deewana

Jul 23, 2015 09:17am

Pakistani mangoes are not worth. Here in New York, Indian mangoes are in very high demand while Pakistani mangoes though cheap, have no takers.

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Abdula Sipai

Jul 23, 2015 09:18am

@Zak Indian PM called every Muslims country from SAARC on the beginning of holy Ramadan month. He has considered every leader equally.

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NORI

Jul 23, 2015 09:27am

Mango break !!! Appreciate the gesture of Nawaz Sharif. While Modi greeted Sharif at the start of Ramzan, Sharif reciprocated with Mangoes.. Sometimes, I feel if all the media in both countries black out for a week, the headlines on the 8th day would be "Kashmir issue resolved"...

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Truth will Always Prevail

Jul 23, 2015 09:45am

You should be feed the poor peoples of Pakistan. Many of them hardly get a day meal What an incompetent PM he is. How many more time corrupt system will let him be the PM?

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Sudhanshu Swami

Jul 23, 2015 09:46am

That is good gesture. Pakistan have many power centers. Some shows good gestures by sending mangoes, others are hostile by refusing sweets.

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Imran AB

Jul 23, 2015 09:47am

@Tariq K Sami Chaunsa is much better

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Faisal

Jul 23, 2015 10:06am

@Mullah Deewana.. can't let prejudice go even when talking about food and you know you are wrong.

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mohit

Jul 23, 2015 10:09am

@Tariq K Sami no one asked

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Punjabi

Jul 23, 2015 10:12am

Alphonso is the most exquisite variety of mango and is the best when it comes to flavor, appearance and richness. Though it has a very limited season from the end of March to May but it is still exported in bulk quantities. It is the most expensive variety of mango which is grown in the western parts of India

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Zahid USA

Jul 23, 2015 10:13am

Good Job Mr Prime Minister, friendship and brotherhood with neighbors is a must for our country to make any progress. Money is always better spent on food than guns and bullets. let us all give peace a chance

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Vineeta

Jul 23, 2015 10:26am

A lovely gesture. May our friendship be as sweet as mangoes.

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Zak

Jul 23, 2015 10:29am

@Punjabi in the mediocre category, but King of Mango Pakistans is Chausa, with its honey sweet taste. The two prince of the Mango world is Sindri and Langra. Pakistan is referred to as 'king of Mango' country. The rest of the countries , Kenya, Australia, Thailand, West Indies, India, Egypt can fight to call theirs 'mangoes'.

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Punjabi

Jul 23, 2015 10:37am

@Zak There is a very basic problem with you....You cannot come out of your fantasy land...What I have written is published on http://listcrux.com/top-10-mango-varieties-types/ and tens of other websites...Face reality...

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Punjabi

Jul 23, 2015 10:38am

@Zak Chaunsa which is grown in Multan districts of Punjab in Pakistan is the fourth most popular breed of mango as it has a unique fragrance and extremely delicious taste. The flesh of this mango contains minimal amount of fiber and is exceptionally soft. This variety can be grown from early June to early September. It is pale yellow in color and is usually considered as a delight for all mango lovers.

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Farrukh

Jul 23, 2015 10:45am

Now this is hilarious. I admit the humor of our PM! Long Live PM!

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Jul 23, 2015 10:45am

A mango person can only send mangoes and can only have mangoes not institutional policies.

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Brar

Jul 23, 2015 10:55am

@JHK You think Chaunsas are grown in Pakistan only this variety is grown in India too but not Sindri, Anwar ratol and alphanso are also good varieties/

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vicky

Jul 23, 2015 10:55am

What is all this "Chaunsa" and "Sindri" the correct variety name is Chausa and Sunduri...apart from that we have so many other varieties as well like Dusehri, Langda, Safeda, etc. India is the biggest producer and exporter of best quality mangoes worldwide!!!

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Juggernaut

Jul 23, 2015 11:01am

He is a bit late...in india we do not eat mango once monsoon is set and it start raining after June...any way thanks...

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Deep Thakur

Jul 23, 2015 11:02am

Pak PM is thorough gentleman.. Appreciate the gesture...good to see nice conversation over mangoes. Atleast we are not debating on fighting ..waging wars and cross border firing..

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Dilawer Ali

Jul 23, 2015 11:04am

@Tariq K Sami Try Chaunsa! Its the sweetest but Sindhri has more pulp and that is why it is widely used because it can be used for shakes and other deserts etc!

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Jul 23, 2015 11:05am

Mango diplomacy is good. Any peace initiative betwee two nations is welcome. 3 to 4 generations on both sides have seen the hatred between India and Pak. At least future generations should be able to see a friendly, peaceful relations.

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Cmvt

Jul 23, 2015 11:20am

This is hillarious

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salman khan

Jul 23, 2015 11:20am

Love him or hate him.. But no one ignore him..

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firozejavaid

Jul 23, 2015 11:31am

@sanjay bisht Pakistani mangoes are far better than Indian mangoes. Ask Modi to give you a piece to taste you will change your opinion.

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Rashid Sultan

Jul 23, 2015 11:33am

@ga Why not?

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Rashid Sultan

Jul 23, 2015 11:34am

@Shaukat Ali Khan It is our diplomacy. It isn't an exchange of mangoes diplomacy. They sent sweets.

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Priya

Jul 23, 2015 11:36am

Now we are arguing about which country has better mangoes. Unbelievable.

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ledow

Jul 23, 2015 11:50am

That speaks volumes about level of interest and motivation, I think well being of own countrymen and their peace / security has been relegated to "Back channel" / "track - II"

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Proud Pakistani

Jul 23, 2015 11:57am

@Priya you beat me to it..I so much wanted to write this comment. . we are like two siblings jealous of each other .. Anyway I don't even like mangoes :) am more of a berry person . . . and ppl don't search "is mango a berry" because its not... Its a drupe

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Raja Parekh

Jul 23, 2015 12:00pm

PM Mr. Nawaz Sherif is a true gentleman. Every Pakistanis need to learn from his this virtue. Pakistan is lucky to have him as its leader.

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DarthVader

Jul 23, 2015 12:15pm

Dashehri from malihabad india beats every other mango hands down. Alphonso is over hyped.

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Atam Vetta

Jul 23, 2015 12:28pm

Mango 'diplomacy' is traditional. It also advertises the quality of one's mangoes. I am sure India reciprocates. She should announce it publicly as Indian mangoes compare favourably with Pak mangoes. It is well known that the Indian PM sends mangoes to the British Queen annually.

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khanm

Jul 23, 2015 01:24pm

Patience we have with each others is bitter, but our mango are sweet...

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ali sikandar chachar

Jul 23, 2015 01:26pm

Main varieties of mangoes are Sindhri and Chaunsa(Chaunso). Infact, Sindhri is produced in Mirpurkhas, Sindh, whereas, Chaunsa is mainly produced in Mirpurkhas,Sahiwal and Multan.

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Abu Lahab

Jul 23, 2015 01:33pm

@Deep Thakur

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Suresh

Jul 23, 2015 01:41pm

@Usman - 'They only deserve mangoes' . We take it as a complement, but also shows the sweet nature of pakistanis.

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Indians Love Pakistan

Jul 23, 2015 01:45pm

Good thing we need to start with small things to be friends again as we are supposed to be...

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Timeto stopthis

Jul 23, 2015 01:51pm

Sweet mangoes from sweet people. Sadly some people become uncomfortable with all this sweetness between two neighbours.

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Being Indian

Jul 23, 2015 01:58pm

let there be Aam ties between both nations.

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DarthVader

Jul 23, 2015 02:11pm

dashehri mangoes from malihabad india beat any variety hands down.no comparison. even Alphonso is hyped up.

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HARMONY-1

Jul 23, 2015 02:20pm

@Blue Saffron For you, YES!!

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Jul 23, 2015 02:43pm

At least some sweets are exchanged not bullets and bomb. We still behave like western colonies they want to keep us divided and we are following.

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Azmeen

Jul 23, 2015 03:23pm

Decent PM! This is no doubt a good expression of high moral value.

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WiseMan

Jul 23, 2015 03:24pm

Thank you for the mangos. But Indian mangos taste better. :)

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WiseMan

Jul 23, 2015 03:26pm

@Abu-Salmaan I ate all of them, but you dont know what Banginapally mangos are. Once you eat either Banginapally or Nuzivid Rasam, you wont eat any other mango.

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Aurora

Jul 23, 2015 03:31pm

@Zak : How much is the annual produce of mangoes in the "king" country ?

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Indian Guy

Jul 23, 2015 03:32pm

This "good cop - bad cop" routine from Pakistan is getting harder and harder for someone to take seriously. While the PM speaks peace, the military establishments sticks to its old hostile stance. And of course the bad cop is the real center of power.

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arshad

Jul 23, 2015 03:36pm

A gift mortar shells from Indian side and mangoes from our side.; height of decency!

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lmk

Jul 23, 2015 03:42pm

Why bend over backwards sending mangoes when the poor on our side of the LOC receive devastating bullets... do not understand our PM at all. NS, each innocent human life lost to bullets, whether terrorist or Indian, should be respected and honoured. When will the elite understand that???

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noshin

Jul 23, 2015 03:45pm

Mangoes .....Don't spoil mangoes P.M.

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Imran AB

Jul 23, 2015 03:48pm

Nawaz Sharif or Modi or anyone else at the helm ... must try to bring peace between India and Pakistan and if it takes these mangoes to do it . so be it !!!

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Aurora

Jul 23, 2015 03:58pm

Good gesture.Man Goes.!

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indian

Jul 23, 2015 04:05pm

This weekend we have been invited by pakistani family friend in the uk. we are thinking of buying alfonsa mangoes before going because we know shabaz loves mango and his wife loves giving away to her friends and family those mangoes. hope our two countries solve the issues through the mango gifts.

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Mohammad shafique

Jul 23, 2015 04:28pm

Right.... Lets reward them for shelling us...

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M. Siddique

Jul 23, 2015 04:39pm

Did the Kabooter deliver the mangoes? Tell them to send the Kabooter back quickly because it has to go a surveilence assignment.

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Asif Saleem

Jul 23, 2015 04:46pm

Suck our mangoes fellow Indians.

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azim

Jul 23, 2015 05:01pm

That the mentality of Sharif, incompetent

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jawed

Jul 23, 2015 05:02pm

good to listen very happy for this gesture

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Shahid

Jul 23, 2015 05:04pm

In return, Modi should send him a couple of water mellons.

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Rao

Jul 23, 2015 05:20pm

@Sunil In the old days, they use to employ official 'food testers' to make sure the gifts of food were not 'mixed with some thing else'. Now will BJP guys trust Pakistanis with their usual mistrust?

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Random Indian

Jul 23, 2015 05:53pm

@Shahid I can't believe someone thought of exactly the same thing I was thinking of. Watermelons for mangoes :-)

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rana1

Jul 23, 2015 05:54pm

Gifting of fruits between leaders is an old custom of sub continent,nothing wrong in it.Its a good gesture and we hope Mr.Modi reciprocates by sending the Indian mangoes to NS too.Am sure Indian mangoes are as delicious too as both varieties do grow after all the soil is the same and so is our DNA.Ipray to see a joint subcontinent with no tension and united against the enemy which wants to destroy us by causing hatred. We did live together in harmony and so can now.

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Ajay ladkani

Jul 23, 2015 06:10pm

@Zak you have very little knowledge of mangoes. Chausa is not the monoply of Pakistan. In July agust go to Delhi haridwar highway,you will get this mango 60-70 rupees kg throughout the highway. Chausa is a place in Bihar where shershah suri fought battles and he is said to name this mango. It's very difficult to declare a mango the best . mumbaikar will say Alphonso is the best but kolkatan will dispute it and voting for malda and langra. Dassuhri ,kessar,badami,himsagar ,kishanbhog etc are also good mangoes

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Zak

Jul 23, 2015 06:27pm

@Punjabi good you are researching on my country, Pakistan.

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Gulrez Khan

Jul 23, 2015 06:49pm

We don't get Pakistani mangoes in Delhi mandis. I once tasted Ahmed Foods Aam ka achaar in London & it was yummy. Why don't you export to India???

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Blue Saffron

Jul 23, 2015 07:03pm

Pakistani mangoes are very juicy. I am sure Modi will enjoy

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Sonny Afridi

Jul 23, 2015 07:04pm

@Mullah Deewana rubbish! Throughout America not just New York Pakistani mangoes in U.S. Market have become overnight success.

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Dr.Sadaf

Jul 23, 2015 07:17pm

Foreign Minister and his foreign policy. Poor people of Pakistan.

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Sarwar, USA

Jul 23, 2015 08:07pm

We send mangoes and saris... they send bodies of our innocent villagers at Sialkot boundary.

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Jul 23, 2015 08:08pm

Sir, Modi is a cousin of Nawaz. It is perfectly right to keep him happy.

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BLACK SABBATH

Jul 23, 2015 08:51pm

Modi is Gujarati & all Gujjus love mangoes and its a part of their daily diet (whenever available).

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Third Party

Jul 23, 2015 10:22pm

Democracy should be given a free hand in Pakistan and People should understand it and educate others !!! Thats how a big country like India stays intact !!

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asage

Jul 23, 2015 10:39pm

@Zak i enjoyed your sarcasm :)

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Ahmer

Jul 23, 2015 11:37pm

Bad idea. Sending a gift when our innocent civilians are being killed on the WB and LoC is unlikely to be perceived as genuine by Indians but an act out of fear to make Indians stop the killings.

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Ahmer

Jul 23, 2015 11:44pm

A cheap and humiliating gesture of sending a gift to an arrogant and aggressive man. It seems more like a surrender when our countrymen are being killed by the same tyrant.

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BLACK SABBATH

Jul 24, 2015 01:15am

I give Nawaz Sharif a lot of credit. The guys is trying hard to bring peace to his country & get it back on track and yet faces so much criticism in Pakistan with many accusing him of promoting self business interests with India & what not. Don't forget that he's burdened with the past failed foreign policies of the Pakistani establishment & trying to turn a page. Give him a break!

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Mutahhir

Jul 24, 2015 01:25am

Mangoes for Modi and peanuts for his own countrymen!

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Pakistani

Jul 24, 2015 02:19am

Modi should send chai to Nawaz with malahi maar k

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Lala Jan

Jul 24, 2015 02:28am

@Shaukat Ali Khan There mangoes are bad that is why Europe put import ban on it.

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Lala Jan

Jul 24, 2015 02:33am

@Proud Pakistani, Mangoes or berries, which one are better? Let's argue that now.

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Ghani K

Jul 24, 2015 04:29am

Another stoop down & cheap diplomacy by Nawaz Sharif . So crates of Mangoes are going to solve our problems with India ? Why does n't he send crates of Mangoes to Kashmiri leadership where it counts.

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someone

Jul 24, 2015 04:52am

Going by the comments here between Indians and Pakistanis, it is clear we are stupid people. While common people are fighting on forums, politicians are sending gifts to each other. I don't think South Asians have learnt anything in last 67 years. No change at all.

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Abdul

Jul 24, 2015 05:36am

Politicians are getting mangoes, sarees , what not. And we the common people are getting bullets, grenade......

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Sanjeev Yadav

Jul 24, 2015 10:17am

Malihabad is world famous for its mangoes. They are the costliest.

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Abu-Salmaan

Jul 24, 2015 10:51am

@Mullah Deewana because the mangoes which you think are Pakistani Mangoes are either not Pakistani or the lower quality mangoes are being imported and that's why they are cheap otherwise the best quality mangoes should be expensive.

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