The prime ministers of India and Pakistan have exchanged goodwill messages in a sign of easing tensions between the two nuclear-armed rivals.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered "best wishes" to his counterpart Imran Khan ahead of Saturday's Pakistan national day. Khan welcomed the statement late Friday and called for a comprehensive dialogue on all issues, including the disputed Kashmir region.

Tensions between India and Pakistan flared last month after a suicide attack killed 40 Indian paramilitary soldiers in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir. The Indian air force launched an airstrike inside Pakistan, saying it was targeting militants it blamed for the bombing.

Pakistan retaliated and said it shot down two Indian air force planes. One pilot was captured and later released. India says it lost only one plane.