Modi greets Imran, Pakistanis on National day

SHARJAH: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent greetings to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on the occasion of National Day.

Pakistan National Day is observed every year on March 23.

Imran Khan said he received a message from Modi in which the latter extended "greetings & best wishes to the people of Pakistan on the National Day of Pakistan."

Imran tweeted, “Received msg from PM Modi: "I extend my greetings & best wishes to the people of Pakistan on the National Day of Pakistan. It is time that ppl of Sub-continent work together for a democratic, peaceful, progressive & prosperous region, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence."

Imran said, “I welcome PM Modi's message to our people. As we celebrate Pakistan Day I believe it is time to begin a comprehensive dialogue with India to address & resolve all issues, esp the central issue of Kashmir, & forge a new relationship based on peace & prosperity for all our people.”

Earlier the India government said it would not send any official representative to the Pakistan National Day event at the Pakistan High Commission in protest against the invitation extended to Hurriyat leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, informed sources said.

Diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan have been strained due to heightened tension between the two countries since the February 14 Pulwama suicide bombing for which Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility.