Modi greets Vajpayee, Pakistan PM on birthday

New Delhi, December 25

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif and former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on their birthdays.

"Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life," Modi tweeted.

The Prime Minister wished Sharif for his 66th birthday, right after greeting the nation for Christmas.

"Merry Christmas! We remember and celebrate the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. His message of peace, unity and compassion inspires us all," the Prime Minsiter said in his Christmas tweet.

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Modi then wished Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the occasion of his 91st birthday in a series of tweets along with a video of the two leaders together.

"Wishing our most beloved and widely respected Atal ji a happy birthday. I pray that he is blessed with good health and a long life," he tweeted.

"Atal ji's exemplary service and leadership has had a very positive impact on India's growth trajectory. His great personality is endearing," Modi added.

The Indian Prime Minister took many by surpise last year when he dropped in at Sharif's granddaughter's wedding in Lahore to wish him on his way back from Afghanistan. The relationship between the two countries have cooled since, particularly after militant attacks on Indian military camps, an unrest in Kashmir and cross-border shelling.

India accuses Pakistan of stoking the unrest in Kashmir and sponsoring terrorism, while Pakistan accuses India of doing the same in its restive Balochistan. — Agencies