ISLAMABAD: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin were among a number of leaders who felicitated Shehbaz Sharif on his election as prime minister, on Tuesday.

In his message, Mr Putin said relations between Pakistan and Russia were moving from strength to strength over the last couple of years.

The Indian prime minister said in his message: “Congratulations to CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.” The message was also posted on X.

Mr Modi’s message carries significance because he was believed to have good rapport with Nawaz Sharif when the latter was prime minister from 2013 to 2017.

PM Shehbaz also received a telephone call from Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan on Tuesday.

The two leaders reaffirmed their desire to enhance the existing political, trade, economic, cultural and defence cooperation.

Leaders from Saudi Arabia, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Iran, Turkiye and Malaysia had felicitated the prime minister soon after he assumed office.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2024