Desire prosperous, progressive Pakistan: India on Imran Khan's victory

New Delhi: Hours after Pakistan officially announced cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged as largest party in the neighbouring country, India on Saturday expressed hope that the new government of Pakistan will work constructively to build a safe, stable, secure and developed south Asia free of terror and violence.

"India desires a prosperous and progressive Pakistan at peace with its neighbours," the Ministry of External Affairs added. 

65-year-old Imran Khan is set to become the next prime minister of Pakistan with his PTI emerging as the single largest party in the election held on July 25, winning 116 of 270 seats.

Jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with 64 seats and former president Asif Ali Zardari's Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) with 43 seats are placed at number two and three respectively.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan will be sworn-in as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan before August 14, a party leader said on Saturday.

Imran Khan said Pakistan was ready to improve its ties with India and that his government would like the leaders of the two sides to resolve all disputes, including the "core issue" of Kashmir.

"If they take one step towards us, we will take two, but at least (we) need a start," Imran Khan said in his first public address after leading his party to victory.

Also Read: If India takes one step, we'll take two to resolve Kashmir issue: Imran Khan

The relationship between India and Pakistan has soured in the last few years over rise in incidents of cross-border terrorism. Ties further worsened after terror attacks by Pakistan-based groups on several military bases in India.

The Indian government has been maintaining that Pakistan must put an end to terror activities from its soil for any meaningful talks between both the countries to resolve outstanding issues.