Pakistan wants Modi to replace hate with hope, PM replies...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday responded to the congratulatory message from his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif and former premier Nawaz Sharif, and emphasised that "well-being and security" of people in India will always remain the country's priority.

Responding to "felicitations" from Nawaz Sharif, PM Modi said: "Appreciate your message @NawazSharifMNS . The people of India have always stood for peace, security and progressive ideas. Advancing the well-being and security of our people shall always remain our priority."

Earlier in the day, Nawaz Sharif congratulated PM Modi for winning third consecutive term and said: "My warm felicitations to Modi Ji on assuming office for the third time. Your party's success in recent elections reflects the confidence of the people in your leadership. Let us replace hate with hope and seize the opportunity to shape the destiny of the two billion people of South Asia."

More from India

PM Modi’s response to Nawaz Sharif appeared to be a tacit reference to India’s long-standing position that the two sides cannot hold talks under the shadow of terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also wished PM Modi and said: "Felicitations to Narendra Modi on taking oath as the Prime Minister of India."

PM Modi thanked Sharif for his "good wishes".

For the first time

Pakistan, so far, had held off on sending a message to PM Modi on his election victory.

Last week, Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, in an official statement had said it would be “premature” for the country to congratulate PM Modi as well as to talk of sending such a message as the process of forming a government was ongoing.

Nawaz Sharif had attended Modi’s first swearing-in ceremony in 2014 but this time no one from Pakistan was invited as bilateral ties soured following a string of terror attacks, including the 2019 Pulwama attack.

Other key leaders from India's neighbour including Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, were invited on June 9 for PM Modi swearing in at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital.