NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left a veiled message forPakistan PM in waiting Imran Khan.

He on Saturday expressed hope that Imran Khan led government would work inthe direction to make Pakistan a ‘terror and violence’ free.

In an interview to news agency ANIlink,Modi said he called Prime Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief tocongratulate on his victory and he hoped that Pakistan would work for asafe, secure, stable and prosperous region.

“I have always said that we wish to have good neighbourly relations. Wehave also taken various initiatives in this regard. I recentlycongratulated Imran Khan on his victory in the elections. We hope thatPakistan would work for a safe, secure, stable and prosperous region, freefrom terror and violence,” the Prime Minister responded when asked if Indiais ready to hold talks with Pakistan.

Prime Minister Modi had called up Imran khan on July 30 and congratulatedhim on his electoral success. Modi had expressed hope that democracy willtake deeper roots in Pakistan.

Congratulating Khan for the win in the country’s general elections, Modireiterated his vision of peace and development in the entire neighbourhood.Khan thanked Modi for his wishes and emphasised that disputes should beresolved through dialogue.

Pakistan had welcomed Modi’s call to PTI chief Imran Khan and said itwanted resumption of bilateral talks which were halted in 2015.

Pakistan went to polls on July 25 and Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf(PTI) emerged as the single largest party with 116 seats.

Soon after emerging victorious in the elections, Khan in his first speechsaid he wanted to have good relations with India and work to resolve alloutstanding issues through dialogue.