Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Pakistan on surprise visit

The visit is the first by an Indian premier since 2004

Narendra Modi has been Prime Minister since 2014 (EPA)

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Pakistan on a surprise visit.

Mr Modi stopped off in Lahore after visiting Afghanistan and was greeted by his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif.

In a tweet, the Indian said he was “looking forward” to the visit. Incidentally, the visit coincides with Mr Sharif’s birthday.

Mr Modi hugs his Pakistani counterpart as he arrives in Lahore (EPA)

Mr Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Pakistan since 2004.

Historically stomy elations between the two countries have been improving and the two leaders were seen talking at the COP21 climate change conference in Paris.

The Indian government recently decided to restart dialogue between the countries, which was suspended after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

The decision was announced when India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Pakistain earlier this month.

The two countries have fought three wars since 1947, two of them over the region of Kashmir.

A ceasefire agreed in 2003 remains in place but the two countries often accuse one another of violating it.