Leaders from over 50 countries have congratulated India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his re-election after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured victory in the recent Lok Sabha elections. However, Pakistan has notably refrained from sending any greetings. Modi’s re-election has sparked speculation about the future of India’s relations with Pakistan, which have been strained for years.
Narendra Modi is set to take the oath as India’s Prime Minister for the third consecutive time on June 9. Although the BJP did not secure a majority on its own, the NDA alliance won 293 out of 543 seats, surpassing the 272 majority mark required in the Lok Sabha. Leaders from several South Asian countries have been invited to attend Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.
On Friday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated its desire for “cooperative” relations with all its neighbors, including India, and emphasized its consistent advocacy for “constructive dialogue and engagement” to resolve issues, including the Kashmir dispute. “Pakistan believes in peaceful coexistence. We want peace and stability in the region,” said spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch, as reported by Dawn.
When asked why Pakistan had not congratulated India on the election results, the Foreign Office gave an evasive response, stating, “it is the right of the people of India to decide about their own leadership.” Baloch also reiterated Pakistan’s opposition to the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and criticized the “vitriolic rhetoric” against Pakistan during the recent elections.