Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan for cheering his victory Thursday, emphasizing his wish for peace in the region.

"I warmly express my gratitude for your good wishes. I have always given primacy to peace and development in our region," Modi tweeted.

Relations between the two countries have been strained in recent weeks after military standoff. The trigger was a devastating terrorist attack on Indian forces in the disputed Kashmir region in February.

The bombing was followed by the first aerial confrontation between the countries in several decades, something that was held up by Modi's allies as proof that he was only leader who could effectively respond to terror threats that Delhi says emanate from Pakistani soil, a claim refuted by Islamabad.