Narendra Modi calls Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif, SAARC leaders; conveys best wishes for Cricket World Cup

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to convey best wishes for ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

Narendra Modi also spoke to the President of Afghanistan, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the President of Sri Lanka.

Taking to micro blogging site, in a series of tweets, Narendra Modi tweeted, "Spoke with Presidents Ashraf Ghani, PM Sheikh Hasina, PM Nawaz Sharif and President Sirisena. Conveyed my best wishes for the Cricket World Cup."

He further added, "5 SAARC Nations are playing and are excited about the World Cup. Am sure World Cup will celebrate sportsman spirit and will be a treat for sports lovers."

Stating that the Cricket connects people in our region and  promotes goodwill, he added, "Hope players from SAARC region play with passion and bring laurels to the region."

The Prime Minister also mentioned that he would be sending new Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar on a SAARC Yatra soon to strengthen ties.

Jaishankar's visit to Pakistan will be significant given that India had cancelled Foreign Secretary-level talks in August last year after the Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi held consultations with the Kashmiri separatists on the eve of the Indo-Pak talks.

Prime Minister's remarks today came a day after Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit met Jaishankar yesterday. The meeting was described as a curtesy call by the officials.

A day ago, Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to the Indian cricket squad.

Australia and New Zealand will host the 11th ICC Cricket World Cup starting tomorrow and India and Pakistan will face each other in their opening game on Sunday.