NEW DELHI, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter to congratulate his newly-sworn in Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan, official sources from the Indian external affairs ministry said here on Monday.

"PM Modi expressed belief that the smooth transition of the government in Pakistan would strengthen and cement people's belief in democracy. He recalled their telephone conversation, in which they spoke of their shared vision to bring peace, security and prosperity in the Indian subcontinent, in order to make it free of terror and violence, and to focus on development," the official sources told Xinhua over phone.

They further stated that Modi expressed India's commitment to building good neighbourly relations with Pakistan, and pursuing meaningful and constructive engagement for the benefit of the people of the region.

Earlier on July 30, Modi had a telephone conversation with Khan, congratulating him for his PTI party emerging as the largest political party in the parliamentary elections on July 25.