The Manmohan government is keenly awaiting the return of Nawaz Sharif turned as Pakistani premier for a record third term, roughly 14 years after being deposed in a military coup and forced into exile.

 

The 63-year-old Sharif was sworn in by president Asif Ali Zardari at a function at the presidency last evening after being formally elected as prime minister by an overwhelming majority in Pakistan's 342-member national assembly.

 

Soon after his party secured a simple majority in the house the last month’s elections, Sharif had invited Manmohan for his swearing in and said one of his top priorities would to improve the ties with New Delhi. But the very next day the Army chief warned him against any swift about-turn in Islamabad’s policy regarding New Delhi would be suicidal.And the impact of this warning was clear in his inaugural speech which had no mention of foreign policy issues, including relations with Delhi.

 

Sharif is the 27th Prime Minister of Pakistan, which has witnessed three military coups in its 66-year history, and is the first person to serve as prime minister for a third term.

Sharif, served as premier during 1990-93 and 1997-99 but was ousted from office before he could complete his term –once on corruption charges and later because of a military coup led by Pervez Musharraf.After spending the past five years in the opposition, Sharif led his PML-N party to victory in the May 11 general elections.