Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan on Monday, days after his party emerged the single-largest in the country’s National Assembly. He congratulated Khan and “expressed hope that democracy will take deeper roots in Pakistan,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
Modi also “reiterated his vision of peace and development in the entire neighbourhood”, the ministry said.
Khan has said that he will take oath as the Pakistan prime minister on August 11, Radio Pakistan reported on Monday. He has begun coalition talks to form the government after his party won 116 of 269 contested seats in the National Assembly. A party needs 137 seats to claim majority.
The cricketer-turned-politician, in his first public address on Thursday as he claimed victory in the elections, had said his government would be ready to improve ties with India and resolve all disputes, including Kashmir, through talks.
On Saturday, India had welcomed the results of Pakistan’s national elections and said it hoped the new government will work constructively to free South Asia of terror and violence.
“India desires a prosperous and progressive Pakistan at peace with its neighbours,” the Ministry of External Affairs had said. “We welcome that the people of Pakistan have reposed their faith in democracy through general elections.”
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