BJP hopes Sharif's desire for better ties is not hijacked

Striking a note of caution optimism, BJP today described as a "positive sign" Nawaz Sharif's statements on rebuilding ties with India and hoped his overtures are not hijacked by "vested interests".

"The democratic transition of government in Pakistan is a welcome development. BJP congratulates Nawaz Sharif on his historic electoral victory. Sharif's statements on rebuilding relations with India are a positive sign," BJP chief Rajnath Singh said in a statement.

On Sharif's statement on improving relations with India, he said, "Since Sharif has publicly stated that he would pick up the pieces of 1999 peace process, we hope that the agenda for peace and stability in the region is not hijacked by vested interests operating from Pakistan."

Hoping that Sharif will be able to "walk the talk", Singh said, "Keeping in view our past experiences with Pakistan, BJP views Sharif's statement with cautious optimism."

The BJP President's statement comes in the wake of certain sections within the party criticising the UPA government for responding to Sharif's overtures positively by saying that while Pakistan was killing Indian soldiers, the government was "serving biryani" to its leaders.

This was in apparent reference to the lunch hosted by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde for Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik a few days after the beheading of Indian soldier Hemraj by Pakistani troops in January.