Mr. Modi's visit to Lahore is not the first gesture from India to improve relations between India and Pakistan. India has been extending an olive branch since 1947, but that effort has not resulted in any fruitful outcome due to lack of a positive response from the Pakistani government. First of all, this writer has his own apprehension to say that this may not be a sudden visit. These types of visits are never sudden. It seems to me a very well thought out and covert plan. Anyhow, irrespective of its nature, I am not sure if it is going to help improve relations in any different manner. The reason being that it is the military of Pakistan which controls the Security and Foreign Affairs Portfolios. It is the military that has the final authority to say yes or no in this respect. I am not sure if military's approval was taken before letting Mr. Modi come to Lahore to show this friendly gesture. In general, the relations between India and Pakistan cann't improve unless the Military Chief is also involved in the discussion. What I have noticed is that all summit meetings are held among elected civilian representatives of both the governments. None of the times there was a Pakistani military Chief approving, disapproving or even had an opportunity to express his opinion in this respect. So, how can one expect any positive outcome before taking an opinion of the deciding authority? This is just going to be one of the past many gestures to pacify public on both sides of the border.