Before Narendra Modi’s swearing-in as Prime Minister, Pakistan stated on Friday that it was ‘premature’ for the country to congratulate the Indian Prime Minister. The statement was made by Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch in response to a query about whether her country had officially congratulated Narendra Modi on winning the general elections.

Baloch stated, ‘We have no comments on their electoral process,’ adding that since the formation of government was underway in India, it was ‘premature’ to discuss congratulating the Indian Prime Minister.

Pakistan Holds Back Congratulations For PM Modi’s Electoral Victory, Calls It Premature#PMModi #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/M2RYubmOsf

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She also affirmed that the people of India have the right to decide about their own leadership.

In her weekly press briefing, Baloch addressed Pakistan’s desire for ‘cooperative ties’  with all neighbors, including India, and emphasized the resolution of disputes through talks.

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Baloch also emphasized that Pakistan has been acting in a ‘responsible manner, despite the difficulties and rhetoric coming from India.’

‘Pakistan has always desired cooperative relations with all its neighbors, including India,’  she said. ‘We have consistently advocated constructive dialogue and engagement to resolve all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.’

After the Indian Parliament suspended Article 370 on August 5, 2019, a decision perceived by Islamabad as undermining the environment for holding talks between the neighbors, Pakistan downgraded its ties with India.

India has been maintaining that it desires normal neighborly relations with Pakistan while insisting that Islamabad bears the onus to create an environment free of terror and hostility for such engagement.

‘At the briefing, Baloch expressed Pakistan’s belief in peaceful co-existence. She hoped that India would take steps to create a conducive environment for the advancement of peace, dialogue, and resolution of long-standing disputes for the mutual benefit of the peoples of Pakistan and India.’

With the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) winning 293 seats in the Lok Sabha polls, the results for which were announced on June 4, Narendra Modi is all set to take charge as India’s Prime Minister for a historic third consecutive term on Sunday.

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