First exchange between Indian Modi and Pakistani Kahn

First contacts. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks Monday with Pakistan's Imran Khan to congratulate him on his party's victory in last week's parliamentary elections. The opportunity for the head of the Indian government of "to reiterate his vision of peace and development for the whole region" as emphasized in the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "The Prime Minister expressed the hope that democracy would take root in Pakistan" adds the ministry to New Delhi

Territorial Dispute

This first discussion between Modi and Khan since the party of the former cricket champion, the Pakistan Movement for Justice (or Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, PTI), arrived at the head of the elections of July 25, was, above all, the making of contacts between leaders of two giants with often stormy relations

In his post-election speech, the new Pakistani leader showed his will to find a solution to the territorial dispute between his country and India on Kashmir. He is at the origin of two of the three wars that the two rivals have fought since 1947. "If India takes a step towards us, we will do two" he said. According to the leadership of the PTI, Khan told Modi that the conflicts between their two countries had to be resolved through dialogue.

Discrepancies

Beyond diplomatic postures, the whole question today is whether the two men will be able to establish a balanced relationship over time. Because nothing brings them together, except for their age 67 for Modi, 65 for Kahn. In power for four years, Modi is facing a junior. Admittedly, Imran Kahn's political involvement dates back to 1996, but he has always played the role of opponent and never really exercised power. Unlike Modi who made his clbades at the head of the state of Gujarat. On the style also, the differences are obvious.

Ascetic against play-boy

Faced with the austere Indian Prime Minister projecting the image of an ascetic, amateur of yoga, will stand up an old playboy who has long scoured the London nights. The Hindu Modi and the Muslim Kahn can scarcely share any part of their private life either.

One was married for a short time over 40 years ago, while Imran Kahn has just to marry in third marriage. There is, however, one area where the two men can meet, that of social networks. Their image to both of them pbades through these channels, each attaching great importance to his own community.

Michel De Grandi