This would help both the countries to focus on development challenges, he said

Congratulating Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said "India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror".

This would help both the countries to focus on development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of the people, PM Modi said.

"Congratulations to H. E. Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror, so that we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people," Prime Minister Modi said on Twitter.

PML (N) leader Shehbaz Sharif, who was the Pakistani opposition's candidate for the position, was elected as the country's new Prime Minister after his embattled predecessor Imran Khan from the PTI lost the no-trust vote in the National Assembly on Saturday.