Have to deal with Modi cautiously: Pakistan media
In an editorial on Saturday, Pakistan's The News International said: "Modi’s rise to such power, decisive and non-controversial, will have a global impact but our region will have to deal with this new leader in our best national interest, not succumbing to pressure or compromising but not showing rage where it may not be due."
"His election campaign was a red alert for Pakistan but as he neared victory he softened the rhetoric and was much more politically correct," it said.
The newspaper expressed hope that bilateral ties between the two countries will improve under Modi's government.
The editorial said Modi’s last comment about Pakistan was: “We will deal with it as they deal with us, as we cannot change our neighbours”.
"That may be a welcome change but Pakistan will have to consider the massive impact of the BJP landslide.
"If history is any guide, the last BJP win when Nawaz Sharif was in power produced some startlingly positive results for Pakistan with Vajpayee coming to Lahore on a bus and driving all the way to Minar-e-Pakistan to acknowledge that Pakistan was there to do business with."
"Modi may not soften his stance that quickly, but Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has taken the right step by offering him the olive branch before the hawks sour the atmosphere," the newspaper said.
"At the moment we have to wait for more vibes from New Delhi," the editorial added.
Decimating the ruling Congress in a landslide victory, Modi led the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to win 285 seats out of 543 that made it the first party to cross the majority mark of 272 on its own in over 30 years.
Riding on an unprecedented wave of expectations coupled with widespread resentment against the ruling Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Modi almost singled-handedly bought the BJP-led National Deocratic Alliance (NDA) to a 340-seat-tally.
Sonia and Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party meanwhile was routed to just 43 seats, a huge 162 seats short of last time, ending Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s tenure with a humiliating blow.
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