NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed his greetings to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on his birthday here on Sunday.

PM Modi in an early morning tweet, prayed for his long and healthy life.

Birthday wishes to Pakistan PM Mr. Nawaz Sharif. I pray for his long and healthy life. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2016

Last year, Narendra Modi's surprise fly-by visit to Lahore to meet Nawaz Sharif on his birthday, attracted criticism on both sides of the border.

Sharif was born on December 25, 1949.