LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who celebrated his 67th birthday with his mother, wife and other members of the family at his Raiwind residence on Sun­day, received a message of good wishes from his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

Notwithstanding tensions along the Line of Control and intensifying dispute over the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty between Islamabad and New Delhi, Mr Modi used social networking website Twitter to extend greetings to Mr Sharif. “Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life,” reads Mr Modi’s tweet.

The Sharifs responded by expressing their gratitude to the Indian leader’s greeting.

Maryam Nawaz, daughter of Mr Sharif, wrote on her Twitter account: “Thank u for your kind prayers. Shared yr tweet with my father who deeply appreciates the gesture & conveys his best.”

Last year, Mr Modi while returning from his Afghanistan visit had “dropped by” in Lahore to greet Mr Sharif on his birthday and also to attend his granddaughter’s wedding.

The Indian prime minister gifted Mr Sharif a pink Rajasthani turban which the latter wore at the wedding ceremony.

Meanwhile, a couple of images Maryam Nawaz posted on her Twitter account show Mr Sharif offer a piece of cake to his mother.

He also visited graves of his father Mian Sharif and brother Abbas Sharif in their Raiwind estate.

Published in Dawn December 26th, 2016