Beijing, May 24 (UNI) China on Friday welcomed the exchange of pleasantries between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan on the former's return to power and hoped that both leaders would meet halfway and resolve differences through dialogue.
Khan on Thursday congratulated Modi on his stunning electoral victory and said he looked forward to working with him for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia.
In response, Modi thanked Khan for his "good wishes" and said he had "always given primacy to peace and development in our region".
"We welcome that," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang.
Both the countries are important in South Asia and harmony between them serves the fundamental interests of both sides, he said.
"We hope that the two sides can continue to show goodwill, meet each other halfway, resolve differences through dialogue, improve their relations and jointly uphold regional peace and security."
In July last year, Modi had phoned Khan and congratulated him on the victory in the general election.
Before the Indian election, the Pakistani premier had voiced the opinion that having a nationalist government in New Delhi would make it easier to hold peace talks.
On Wednesday, during an "informal chat" with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan is committed to the vision of Prime Minister Khan of pursuing peaceful diplomacy with India.
UNI SRJ