NEW DELHI: Responding positively to
Imran Khan's peace overtures in the past few days, India on Saturday hoped "that the new government of
Pakistan will work constructively to build a safe, stable, secure and developed
South Asia free of terror and violence".
MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also welcomed the fact that the people of Pakistan had "reposed their faith in democracy through general elections".
This is significant because some in India had sought to project Khan, who is expected to form the new government, as a puppet of the
Pakistan army and even suggested that the army might have rigged the elections in his favour.
"India desires a prosperous and progressive Pakistan at peace with its neighbours," said Kumar.
Khan had reached out to New Delhi in his victory speech saying that Pakistan is prepared to walk the extra distance for peace with India.
This was followed by Pakistan high commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood telling TOI that Khan's victory was a moment of opportunity which the two countries needed to seize. Mahmood had also said this was the time to shun old narratives in bilateral ties.
While India remains unsure about the Pakistan army's intentions and also what stand Khan's government might take on the issue of terrorism, which is India's own core concern, official sources here said there was no denying that Khan's PTI emerged as the single largest party through a democraticprocess.
"Our job is not to take sides. We will respect the verdict of the Pakistani people and it's a fact that Imran Khan has found support from a vast majority," said a source. India's reaction though, sources said, was only limited to the election process.
Imran Khan (AP photo)
