NEW DELHI – In his first telephonic conversation after the Balakotairstrikes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told his Pakistani counterpartImran Khan on Sunday that creating trust and an environment free ofviolence and terrorism was essential for fostering peace and prosperity inthe region, PTI has reported.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it was Khan who called up Modito congratulate him on his re-election.
“The Prime Minister thanked the Prime Minister of Pakistan for histelephone call and greetings,” it said.
Recalling his initiatives in line with his government’s “neighbourhoodfirst” policy, Modi referred to his earlier suggestion to Khan to fightpoverty jointly, the MEA said.
“He stressed that creating trust and an environment free of violence andterrorism was essential for fostering cooperation for peace, progress andprosperity in our region,” it added.
The telephonic conversation came amid strained bilateral ties since nearlythree months following the Pulwama terror attack and India’s subsequentaerial strikes on a terror training camp in Pakistan’s Balakot.
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Khan had also congratulated Modi on Twitter last week after the BJP’smassive victory in the general election.
Modi on Thursday led his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a landmark victoryfor a second five-year term in office, winning 303 seats in the 543-memberLok Sabha.
Reiterating his vision for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia,Khan said he looked forward to working with Modi to advance theseobjectives, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said onTwitter.
Khan also expressed his desire for both countries to work together for thebetterment of their peoples, he added.
