Sharif to attend Modi ceremony

In a statement released Saturday, Sharif's office announced that the prime minister had accepted an invitation from Modi (pictured) to attend the inauguration ceremony in New Delhi. Sharif had already congratulated his Indian counterpart-to-be for his Bharatiya Janata Party's landslide victory in the national elections that ended May 12.

Relations between India and Pakistan have been uneasy since the countries gained independence from Britain in 1947. They have fought three wars over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. Ties were frozen following the 2008 attacks in Mumbai in which Pakistani terrorists killed 166 people, but Saturday's move could be a sign of continued easing tensions between the two nuclear powers.

Modi, a right-wing Hindu nationalist, took a hard line on Pakistan's role in sponsoring attacks in India, but has eased his stance somewhat since Bharatiya Janata secured the first majority in parliament by a single party in 30 years. He has expressed his desire to engage with India's neighbors and establish friendly relations.

Sharif hailed Modi's "impressive victory" in the election, and promised last year to rebuild relations with India. He is set to hold a meeting with Modi during his visit to New Delhi for Monday's inauguration, state-run Pakistan Television reported.

The Pakistani prime minister is aiming to boost trade with his southern neighbor, and Modi's new economic agenda will require India to open up its markets and normalize trade relations with surrounding nations.

Former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf was the last Pakistani head of state to visit India in 2005. Last year, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declined Sharif's invitation to attend his oath-taking ceremony following Pakistan's general election.

dr/mkg (Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa)