'Want Peaceful, Cooperative Ties With India': Pak PM Sharif Responds to PM Modi

PM Narendra Modi on Monday, 11 April, congratulated Shehbaz Sharif.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Newly appointed Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday, 12 April, thanked Indian PM Narendra Modi for congratulating him on Monday, adding that Pakistan desires peaceful and cooperative ties with India.

In his tweet, Sharif also referenced Jammu and Kashmir for the second time since his election as the leader of the nation.

"Peaceful settlement of outstanding disputes including Jammu & Kashmir is indispensable. Pakistan's sacrifices in fighting terrorism are well-known. Let's secure peace and focus on socio-economic development of our people," Sharif tweeted on Tuesday.

This comes after PM Modi on Monday evening extended his congratulations to Sharif after the oath-taking in Pakistan and said that India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror.

"India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror, so that we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people," PM Modi tweeted.

Kashmir Reference in Inaugural Speech

Sharif took over the reins of Pakistan on Monday, after former PM Imran Khan was ousted on Sunday, with 174 members of the 342-seat Assembly favouring the no-confidence motion in a midnight voting.

Sharif won Monday's voting unopposed, with 174 votes, after MNAs of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) announced a boycott of the prime minister's election and resignation from the National Assembly.

PTI vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who was among those who boycotted the session, had also filed his nomination papers on Sunday, after being chosen as the PTI's prime ministerial candidate. Qureshi secured no vote on Monday.

Addressing the Assembly on Monday, the newly elected Pakistan PM said that he wanted “good relations” with neighbouring India. However, he stressed on the unresolved Kashmir issue.

"We want good relations with India but a durable peace can’t be possible without Kashmir’s solution," Sharif stated.

Later on Monday, Sharif was administered the oath by acting President Sadiq Sanjrani, who stepped in to replace President Dr Arif Alvi, who was unable to attend the ceremony, having been advised to rest by doctors after reportedly complaining of discomfort on Monday evening.