Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the latter’s impending victory in the Lok Sabha elections 2019.
In a tweet, Khan, who is the chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said that he hopes to work with the Indian PM for peace and prosperity in South Asia.
“I congratulate Prime Minister Modi on the electoral victory of BJP and allies. Look forward to working with him for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia,” he tweeted.
I congratulate Prime Minister Modi on the electoral victory of BJP and allies. Look forward to working with him for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 23, 2019
But former Pakistan Information Minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Sherry Rehman said that the victory of PM Modi means “a tougher neighbourhood for Pakistan”.
“Exit polls India foretell a BJP landslide.If these polls r close to final count it will mean a tougher neighbourhood for Pakistan.The new BJP’s mandate, among other things is extremism, exclusion.Isl has a sweet tooth for Modi mithai but translating into serious peace unlikely,” she tweeted.
Exit polls India foretell a BJP landslide.If these polls r close to final count it will mean a tougher neighbourhood for Pakistan.The new BJP’s mandate, among other things is extremism, exclusion.Isl has a sweet tooth for Modi mithai but translating 🍫 into serious peace unlikely
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) May 23, 2019
Relations between Pakistan and India hit a nadir in the last five years with at least three major terror attacks on Indian military establishment and personnel of armed forces since 2016.
In retaliation, India conducted a surgical strike and an airstrike against Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camps.
A day after the 26 February Balakot incident, PAF fighter jets attempted to target Indian military installations in Jammu-Kashmir but were thwarted by IAF fighter jets.
The BJP-led NDA is set to return to power with a thumping majority. At the time of writing, the BJP had either won or was leading in 355 seats, one more than it won in 2014. The UPA was leading or had won 90 seats. Non-aligned parties were leading on 97.