BEIJING: A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Friday welcomed PrimeMinister Imran Khan’s congratulatory message to his Indian counterpartNarendra Modi on his election victory.

“China has noted the interaction between the two leaders and we welcomethat,” Lu Kang said during his routine briefing held here.

He said both Pakistan and India were important countries in South Asia andharmony between them served interests of both sides and it was also thecommon aspiration of the international community.

He said both Pakistan and India were important countries in South Asia andharmony between them served the common interests of both sides and it wasalso the common aspiration of the international community.

“We hope both sides can continue to show goodwill, meet each other halfway,resolve differences through dialogue, improve their relations and jointlyuphold peace and stability of the region,” he said.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had congratulatedlinkIndian counterpart Modi in a message posted on his Twitter account onThursday. Indian Prime Minister Modi thankedlinkin his response and said he also considered regional peace and developmentas a priority.

Responding to a question about the victory of the Modi’s BJP-led NationalDemocratic Alliance, he said China also congratulated Prime Minister Modion winning the election.

He said Chinese President Xi Jinping also sent him a congratulatory message.

The spokesperson said China and India were important neighbours to eachother and China attached high importance to bilateral relations with India.