Modi-Sharif meeting: Opposition questions Modi's U-turn, ally Shiv Sena calls the it 'unfortunate'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Ufa, Russia has seen mixed political reactions back home.

Omar Abdullah, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister: Resumption of the Indo-Pak dialogue is a welcome development. I only hope that this time it is sustained over the long term for results. We've seen too many breaks in this process to allow today's announcements to excite us much here in the valley but it's a good 1st step. We expect that in spite of Pakistan not mentioning Kashmir at all, the issue of Kashmir will receive its due attention.

Manish Tewari, Indian National Congress: These are the same people who said that terror and talks don't go hand in hand, what has changed? This is an exercise in futility. It is an unprecedented disaster.

Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena: It is unfortunate that Modi ji met Nawaz Sharif today. There has been no change in conditions (on the border). People have lots of expectations from Modi ji. Recently, our army had gone into Myanmar to eliminate terrorists there. I don't know if the government has learnt any lessons from that but Pakistan needs to be taught a lesson as well.

Why is the Modi government being criticised?

The Opposition is calling it a 'U-turn' because Modi government had called off talks with Pakistan last year after its high commissioner met Kashmiri separatists.

Modi and Sharif had started off on a positive note when latter visited Delhi along with other SAARC leaders during Indian Prime Minister's swearing-in ceremony.