Imran phones Modi, hopes for return to normality.

Byline: Syed Irfan Raza

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday felicitated his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) victory in the elections and expressed his vision for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia.

According to Foreign Office (FO) spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal, PM Khan phoned Mr Modi to congratulate him on his re-election, as the Hindu nationalist party secured the highest-ever 303 seats in the 543-member house while the Indian National Congress won 52 seats.

In a tweet, the FO spokesman said: 'Prime Minister Imran Khan talked to Prime Minister Modi today and congratulated him on his party's electoral victory in Lok Sabha elections in India. PM [Imran] expressed his desire for both countries to work together for betterment of their people.'

Emphasises bilateral cooperation for peace, progress and prosperity in region

According to the Indian media, the Indian prime minister thanked Mr Khan and called for creating trust and an environment free of violence and terrorism to foster cooperation for peace and prosperity in the region.

Soon after coming to power last year, PM Khan had taken an initiative to invite Indian leadership for a dialogue to settle all contentious issues including Kashmir and said: 'If they [Indians] take one step towards us, we will take two'.

However, relations...