Operation Safed Sagar: Why Nawaz Sharif insisted on Dev Anand’s Pak visit with PM Vajpayee

The Netflix series Operation Safed Sagar, depicting the 1999 Kargil War, recently enthralled viewers. In 1999, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee journeyed to Lahore, Pakistan, with hopes of fostering peace between India and Pakistan. This historic visit, complete with a special bus and celebrity companions, included veteran actor Dev Anand.

Dev Anand's participation in the delegation was a result of a special request by Nawaz Sharif, the then Pakistani Prime Minister. Dev Anand, who was born near Lahore and finished his education at the Government College in Lahore before moving to Bombay, had a soft spot for Pakistan. Their meeting was a cherished dream for Sharif, who fondly recalled their encounter.

As the bus approached Wagah, Dev Anand eagerly jumped out, hugging both Sharif and Vajpayee, declaring his mission to unite the nations. Nawaz Sharif's wife revealed that Dev Anand would revisit London frequently and would often stop by Sharif's residence in Hyde Park, showing his continued affection for the actor. However, their plans to meet in Pakistan never came to fruition, as Dev Anand passed away in 2011 at the age of 88.