ISLAMABAD – In an unexpectedly surprising move, Indian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi on Friday extended greetings and best wishes to people ofPakistan celebrating their national day on Saturday, March 23.

In a message to his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan, Modi said, “It istime that people of sub-continent work together for a democratic, peaceful,progressive and prosperous region, in an atmosphere free of terror andviolence.”

Premier Imran shared the message on Twitter, catching social media users bysurprise.

Received msg from PM Modi: “I extend my greetings & best wishes to thepeople of Pakistan on the National Day of Pakistan. It is time that ppl ofSub-continent work together for a democratic, peaceful, progressive &prosperous region, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence”

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 22, 2019link

The national day is observed on March 23 every year to commemorate thepassage of Lahore Resolution on this day in 1940 when the Muslims of thesub-continent set the agenda of a separate homeland for themselves.

The development came a day after the Pakistani prime minister warned thatthe security risk at the Line of Control (LoC) persisted until electionswere held in the easterly neighbour and asked the nation to be prepared atall times.