ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif congratulated his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on his third term as prime minister.
In his first response to Indian election, PM Shehbaz Sharif briefly felicitated Modi, around a week after the election results were announced on June 4.
Indian PM’s party Bharatiya Janata Party BJP lost majority, despite Modi’s record-equalling third term, his party lost its outright majority and must rely on regional parties or support, forming his first coalition government.
Sharif extended felicitations despite ongoing tensions that were escalated in 2019 when New Delhi revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and divided it into two federally administered territories. Relations were further strained when India claimed conducting airstrikes inside Pakistan.
Several regional leaders were invited to Modi’s inauguration, Pakistani PM was not included. Modi responded to Sharif’s congratulatory message on X, thanking him for the good wishes.
Nawaz Sharif hoping for peace in Asia in Modi third tenure
Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz’s elder brother and former prime minister, also congratulated Modi on X, expressing hope for peace and cooperation in South Asia.
