ISLAMABAD: India on Saturday expressed the hope that Islamabad’s new government will work for peace with its neighbors to build “a South Asia region free of terror.”
“We welcome that the people of Pakistan have reposed their faith in democracy through general elections,” a spokesman for India’s External Affairs Ministry in reponse to questions on the elections in Pakistan.
“India desires a prosperous and progressive Pakistan at peace with its neighbors,” he added.
Former cricket star Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) emerged as the single largest party in Pakistan’s National Assembly, but failed to clinch an outright majority.
The PTI is now in talks with smaller parties and independents in a bid to form a coalition at the center.
In his victory speech on Thursday, Khan said Pakistan is ready to improve ties with India. “If they (India) will take one step toward us, we will take two,” he said.
However, the PTI leader reiterated Islamabad’s view that Kashmir is the “core” issue dividing Islamabad and Delhi, and both countries should resolve this through talks.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman said: “We hope that the new government of Pakistan will work constructively to build a safe, stable, secure and developed South Asia free of terror and violence.”
