Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar

After Imran Khan‘s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged as the single largest party in Pakistan election results 2018, India has released an official statement on Saturday with the desires for a 'progressive and prosperous Pakistan at peace with its neighbours'.

"India desires a prosperous & progressive Pakistan at peace with its neighbours. We hope that the new Pakistan Govt will work constructively to build a safe, stable, secure & developed South Asia free of terror and violence," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

New Delhi welcomed that the people of Pakistan have reposed their faith in democracy through general elections, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

The MEA issued the statement in response to questions from the media on the elections in Pakistan. Its remarks come on the heels of appeals from political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir — the state at the centre of a decades-old territory dispute with Pakistan — to welcome any offer of peace from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, who is likely to be the country's next prime minister.

Imran's PTI emerged the single-largest party in the 25 July elections in Pakistan, winning 116 of the 270 seats amid allegations of poll rigging.

On Thursday, when it became clear that his party was on the course of victory, Imran had said Pakistan was ready to improve its ties with India, and that his government would like leaders of both sides to resolve all disputes, including the "core issue" of Kashmir, through talks.

"If they take one step towards us, we will take two, but at least (we) need a start," he had said.

Imran's PTI emerged the single-largest party in the 25 July elections in Pakistan, winning 116 of the 270 seats amid allegations of poll rigging.