Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India wants to have cordial relations with Pakistan but for it to happen, an environment devoid of terror and hostility is imperative.
Extending his greetings to PM Imran Khan and the people of Pakistan on Pakiatn's National Day, PM Modi wrote, "As a neighbouring country, India desires cordial relations with the people of Pakistan. For this, an environment of trust, devoid of terror and hostility, is imperative."
Pakistan celebrated its 70th National Day on Tuesday.
In his letter, PM Modi also conveyed his "best wishes" to Pakistan in coping with the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Excellency, at this difficult time for humanity, I would like to convey my best wishes to you and the people of Pakistan for dealing with the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic," PM Modi wrote.
Earlier in the day, Aftab Hasan Khan, Charge'd Affaires at Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi said, "Pakistan wants to have good relations with its neighbours...It'd only be possible with peace and for it to prevail, issues must be resolved via dialogue, especially that of J&K which has been going on for 70 years."
India has maintained its position that while it is open to hold talks with Pakistan, "talks and terror" cannot go together.
Three days ago, PM Modi had also wished speedy recovery to Imran Khan after he and his wife tested positive for Covid-19.
"Best wishes to Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI for a speedy recovery from Covid-19," he tweeted.
In February, the Indian and Pakistani armies recommitted themselves to the 2003 ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
On Monday, a delegation of Pakistani officials arrived in India for a meeting of the permanent Indus commission. It is the first such dialogue in over two-and-a-half years.
Last week, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said India desires good neighbourly ties with Pakistan and is committed to addressing issues, if any, bilaterally but added that any meaningful dialogue can only be held in a conducive atmosphere.
He said the onus is on Islamabad to create such an atmosphere.
Pakistan Day is celebrated every year on March 23 in Pakistan to commemorate the 'Lahore Resolution' of 1940 and adoption of the first Constitution of Pakistan during the transition of the Dominion of Pakistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, making the country world's first Islamic republic.
(With agency inputs)
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