Spoke to PM Nawaz Sharif & wished him on his birthday.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2015
But what followed was totally unexpected.
Looking forward to meeting PM Nawaz Sharif in Lahore today afternoon, where I will drop by on my way back to Delhi.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2015
The external affairs minister added her bit, pointing to how this symbolised exactly the sort of relations that should exist with neighbours.
That's like a statesman. Padosi se aise hi rishte hone chahiyen. https://t.co/dM26am9tWf
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 25, 2015
The news was greeted with immediate endorsement and with almost universal positive reactions, starting with prominent journalists, and commentators.
This is wonderful @narendramodi turn. Vajpayee's Pak policy still wisest & good to pick up that thread. Best b'day gift to Vajpayee as well
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) December 25, 2015
He confounds both his critics& supporters ( and certainly the media) Masterstroke move by @narendramodi to drop in to meet Sharif in Lahore
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) December 25, 2015
Brilliant masterstroke by @narendramodi : this is real-politik diplomacy! Wonderful...now will wait for the so-called experts to criticise.
&— SUHEL SETH (@suhelseth) December 25, 2015
Wow! Well done @narendramodi. I applaud your impromptu visit to Pakistan. You've added your signature, and dash and verve to foreign policy!
— Ajai Shukla (@ajaishukla) December 25, 2015
When other Indian PMs visited Pakistan: Nehru (1960), Rajiv (1988), Vajpayee (1999). https://t.co/E4I6WlrWvO pic.twitter.com/25QPg4bZcl
— Dhruva Jaishankar (@d_jaishankar) December 25, 2015
There were also some questions.
How and why are we engaging with Pakistan so aggressively after switching off, why the VoLTE face?
— sandeep bamzai (@sandeep_bamzai) December 25, 2015
Interesting move. Are they bursting crackers in Pakistan then?
— vir sanghvi (@virsanghvi) December 25, 2015
On the Pakistani side, too, the reaction was by and large celebratory and positive, at least among the mainstream English commentariat:
PM Modi in Lahore is genius. Fast-tracks "visit" dynamic by 9 months, re-seizes the baton of initiative & strengthens PM Sharif's approach.
— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) December 25, 2015
After a long time, an Indian PM will visit Pakistan. A symbolic meeting but a good omen. Finally, some hope of peace https://t.co/x9YKQliQMp
— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) December 25, 2015
Well said MZ. No breakthroughs likely anytime soon. But engagement & dialogue is healthy and much needed. #IndiaPak https://t.co/1RTYPmwINw
— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) December 25, 2015
This is how things should be between Pakistan & India: visit one another whenever needed, and not get entangled in jingoistic negativity.
— Mehr Tarar (@MehrTarar) December 25, 2015
As in India, there were some cynical and discordant political voices in Pakistan too:
Modi playing brilliant to give impression as if India was sincerely trying to improve relations. And sharif dancing stupidly on Modi tune
— Sami Abraham (@samiabrahim) December 25, 2015
The Congress party spokesperson Manish Tewari, too, decided it was not a moment to be gracious:
This adventure of PM Modi is going to have serious implications on India's national security- Manish Tewari,Congress pic.twitter.com/xQvJQEpFmM
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2015
This adventure of PM @narendramodi will have serious implications: @ManishTewari on #ModiPakPitstop
— IndiaTodayFLASH (@IndiaTodayFLASH) December 25, 2015
But others were quick to have some useful reminders for both the Congress and the BJP.
It's a pity MMS who so believed in India-Pak peace never had the confidence or the backing of @INCIndia or BJP to make a trip across.
—Nirupama Subramanian (@tallstories) December 25, 2015
If some of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Modi-supporters were left perplexed by what spin to put on the sudden move, there were others around to rub it in:
On Christmas. Now, Modi's trolling the RSS and bhakts pic.twitter.com/vOeYHpk9kp
— IndiaExplained (@IndiaExplained) December 25, 2015
Merry Christmas bhakts !! Look who's been sent to Pakistan. https://t.co/PHke7OJuXd
— Nilim Dutta (@NilimDutta) December 25, 2015
But some of the supporters and sympathisers of the prime minister rallied around.
Message: In India, elected PM is in charge, sets the terms, takes the call, not Generals at AHQ. https://t.co/ETxS9WQTa8
— কাঞ্চন গুপ্ত (@KanchanGupta) December 25, 2015
Clever Modi ploy to ruin Nawaz Sharif's birthday with vegetarian meal. Bonus: Ruin Xmas for journos by making them work. #BirthdayDiplomacy
— Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) December 25, 2015
So Modi to have breakfast in Kabul, lunch in Lahore and dinner in Delhi ...
— Ashok Malik (@MalikAshok) December 25, 2015
The jousting continued as others too joined in.
India shouldn't talk to Pakistan till Mumbai Attack culprits, Dawood, Saeed is free but OMG Modi Ji going to Pakistan is great step ~ Bhakts
— Joy (@Joydas) December 25, 2015
*Manmohan meets Nawaz* Traitor! Weak! Aman ki Tamasha! Bastard! | *Modi stops over in Lahore* Diplomacy! Statesman! Out Of The Box! Wah!
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) December 25, 2015
... Game-changer! Brave! Unorthodox! Radical! Re-writing the rule-book!
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) December 25, 2015
As the news sank in and registered, however, there were more sober and realistic reflections too.
@omar_quraishi I think w/o consultation to Army, no such meeting is poss. 2nd, I don't think this seemingly abrupt meeting is abrupt at all.
— Mazhar (@mohdmazharkh) December 25, 2015
@omar_quraishi Please be noted that Sajjan Jindal is already with PM Nawaz Sharif in Lahore&Barkha dutt saying he has a role in this meeting
— Idrees Khan (@KhanSahib112) December 25, 2015
As also, of course, conspiracy theories and speculation:
Modi's today's visit is sequel to the understanding reached between MNS and USA with regard to India"s role in region and nuclear issue.
— Tahir Ali (@tahir1610) December 25, 2015
Former Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah, however, summed up the surprise move best:
The re-engagement with Pakistan is a good step & a very welcome development. However more than grand gestures we need consistency.
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) December 25, 2015
Indo-Pak relations have been plagued by knee-jerk reactions & a lack of consistency. Looking towards two PMs to correct this this time.
—Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) December 25, 2015
And since Twitter never misses an opportunity to crack a joke or two, there was plenty more to add to the Christmas cheer.
Pilot "sir chale India ab to" NaMo "ek bar Pakistan aur utaar le" P " but wo to dushman hai" N "dushman hoga tera, meri toh bucket list hai"
— Rofl Gandhi-Trumpian (@RoflGandhi_) December 25, 2015
Nawaz Sharif is now hurriedly changing out of his pyjamas and cleaning his house.
— Damsel in This Dress (@secondofhername) December 25, 2015