Bilateral discussions will not be on the agenda when Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif calls on his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi

A Rediff Correspondent reports

A day after Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accepted prime minister-designate Narendra Modi’s invitation, officials are working out the modalities of his trip.

On the sidelines of Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, Sharif is expected to call on his Indian counterpart for, what officials in New Delhi describe, “exchanging messages of peace”.

Clarifying that no bilateral discussions will be held during the 15-20 minute interaction between the two leaders, officials said that the actual message put across will be about 'maintaining peace and better neighbourly relations'.

Besides, the Pakistani premier is also expected to interact with a select group of senior Indian journalists, including Karan Thapar and Ruchika Talwar.

Before returning to Islamabad, Sharif will offer prayers at the Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah and hold private meetings with three Indian businessmen -- one of whom happens to be an old friend of the Pakistan prime minister.

Coverage: PM NaMo