Islamabad: India's opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to emerge as the largest parliamentary force after the general elections, paving the way for its controversial leader Narendra Modi to become the next prime minister.

Critics fear the Hindu nationalist leader's possible rise could worsen ties with neighboring Pakistan, but leaders and observers in Islamabad think otherwise.
 
In Pakistani political circles, the relatively optimistic outlook on Narendra Modi's possible rise to power is rooted in history.
 
Many cite the example of former BJP Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who undertook a historic bus journey to Lahore in 1999 to promote peace with Pakistan.
 
That visit laid the foundation for a wide-ranging peace dialogue aimed at normalizing relations and trying to resolve territorial disputes.