PM Narendra Modi speaks to Pakistan’s Imran Khan
Live MintNew Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Imran Khan, chairperson of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party which has emerged as the single largest party in the recent Pakistan general elections. While khan’s call for improved trade ties with India — issued on Thursday— is likely to be accepted in New Delhi, his references to Kashmir as the core issue and alleged human rights violations by the Indian army in Kashmir could act as impediments to any resumption of peace talks between India and Pakistan. On Saturday, India had welcomed the conduct of polls in Pakistan and reiterated New Delhi’s hope that the “new government of Pakistan will work constructively to build a safe, stable, secure and developed South Asia free of terror and violence.” Indian foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar had also said India “desires a prosperous and progressive Pakistan at peace with its neighbours”. “This blame game that whatever goes wrong in Pakistan’s Balochistan is because of India and vice versa brings us back to square one,” said Khan, seen backed by the Pakistan Army.