NEW DELHI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Friday, the Indian foreign ministry said. The meeting took place at Mr Khan’s request.

The ministry said the two leaders welcomed recent developments in bilateral relations.

“They welcomed recent developments... and expressed hope that these would lead to closer cooperative ties between the two countries,” foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

During the meeting, Mr Khan invited Mr Modi to visit Pakistan.

The meeting came a couple of days after India and Pakistan decided to resume Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue to reduce tensions between them on the sidelines of a conference on Afghanistan in Islamabad.

Mr Khan is on a two-day visit to India during which he will also attend a conference on India-Pakistan relations.

Agencies add: Later in the evening, Mr Khan appeared in an India Today show alongside former Indian cricketer Kapil Dev.

Speaking to the audience, he said that during his meeting with the Indian premier, he also called for resumption of cricket ties between the two countries.

When asked what Mr Modi’s response was, Mr Khan said: “He (Modi) only smiled and I cannot figure out if it was a yes or no.”

The PTI chief was of the view that any move that could improve relations between the neighbours, such as a cricket series, should be welcomed.

“We don’t want to be enemies forever. You have to think about the future. There are mutual cricketing heroes in both our countries. Like Wasim Akram is adored and loved in India, Sachin Tendulkar is a hero in Pakistan,” Mr Khan said.

Kapil Dev, however, was more guarded in his response when asked if India should play Pakistan in a bilateral series.

“The decision rests with the government. Both boards are ready to play but you cannot go against your government,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2015