In his first conversation after the Balakot airstrikes, Prime Minister Narender Modi told his Pakistani counterpart, Imran Khan, that creating trust and an environment free of violence and terror is essential for fostering peace and prosperity in the region. Khan called PM Modi to congratulate him over his landslide victory in 2019 general elections.

 

"The Prime Minister thanked the Prime Minister of Pakistan for his telephone call and greetings," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. Recalling his initiatives in line with his government's "neighbourhood first" policy, Modi referred to his earlier suggestion to Khan to fight poverty jointly, the MEA said. "He stressed that creating trust and an environment free of violence and terror was essential for fostering cooperation for peace, progress, and prosperity in our region," it added. The telephonic conversation came amid strained bilateral ties since nearly three months following the Pulwama attack and India's subsequent aerial strikes in Balakot.

 

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said on Twitter, “Reiterating his vision for peace, progress, and prosperity in South Asia, the Prime Minister said he looked forward to working with Prime Minister Modi”.

 

Modi and Khan are scheduled to meet at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan next month.