PM Modi congratulates Imran Khan on poll performance, calls for neighbourhood peace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reiterated his vision of peace and development in the entire neighborhood.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PTI Photo

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan, whose party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged as the single largest in the recently held National Assembly elections of Pakistan. Modi expressed hope that democracy takes deeper roots in Pakistan. The prime minister also reiterated his vision of peace and development in the entire neighborhood. "Prime Minister spoke to Imran Khan, Chairperson of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and congratulated him for his party emerging as the largest political party in the National Assembly of Pakistan in the recently conducted general elections," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement. "Prime Minister expressed hope that democracy will take deeper roots in Pakistan," the statement said, adding Modi "also reiterated his vision of peace and development in the entire neighbourhood".

PM @narendramodi spoke to Mr. Imran Khan, Chairperson of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Party. pic.twitter.com/fQHNLd7QTm

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) July 30, 2018

Imran Khan has said that he will take oath as Prime Minister on August 11, the media reported on Monday. Although PTI has emerged as the single largest party in the National Assembly in the July 25 polls, it is short of numbers to form its government independently. Imran Khan had last week in his 'victory' speech said his country is ready to improve ties with India and resolve all disputes, including the "core issue" of Kashmir, through talks. Khan, who is set to become Pakistan's premier, said it was in the interest of both countries that they have good relations and trade ties. Raking up the Kashmir issue in first address after elections, Khan said it is the "core" issue between the two countries and it should be resolved through talks. "Kashmiri people have suffered in the last 30 years. We have to resolve the Kashmir issue by sitting across the table. If India will take one step, we are ready to take two. We have to resolve this core issue through dialogue. It will be good for the subcontinent also," he said. He said there has been a blame game between India and Pakistan with New Delhi holding Islamabad responsible for all its problems and Pakistan blaming India for whatever is happening in Balochistan. "This blame game, which brings us back to square one everytime, has to stop," he said.