Pakistan PM Imran Khan finally calls PM Narendra Modi, but no invite for event yet

After days of speculation and trepidation, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday called PM Narendra Modi to congratulate him on his re-election in the landslide victory, during which the latter called for creating trust and an "environment free of terrorism to help the region prosper."

Indian government sources told WION that the purpose of the telephone call by PM Khan was to congratulate the PM, however, clarified that no invitation had yet been extended to Khan for the swearing-in ceremony of the new government. Incidentally, this was also their first telephonic conversation since the Pulwama attack and the subsequent Balakot airstrikes.

According to MEA, while thanking him for the call and greetings, PM Modi referred "to his earlier suggestion to the Prime Minister of Pakistan to fight poverty jointly." But, the focus was mostly on terror during the call that lasted just over three minutes.

In a statement, MEA read out, "The PM stressed that creating trust and an environment free of violence and terrorism is "essential for fostering cooperation for peace, progress, and prosperity in our region."

The Pakistani foreign office also claimed that PM Khan, "expressed his desire for both countries to work together for the betterment of their peoples," adding that he looks forward to working with PM Modi for "peace, progress, and prosperity in South Asia".

On the day of the results on May 23, Khan has tweeted a congratulatory message to Modi which Modi had responded to and said, "I warmly express my gratitude for your good wishes."

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

(with Agency inputs)