WASHINGTON - The US, UN and China on Saturday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise visit to Pakistan, saying improved ties between the two neighbours will benefit the entire region.

"We welcome the December 25 visit between PM Modi and PM (Nawaz) Sharif. Better relations between neighbors India and Pakistan will benefit the people of the entire region," US State Department spokesman John Kirby said.

The spokesman was responding to a question on Modi's surprise visit to Lahore, where he held talks with Sharif.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also welcomed the meeting between the two leaders, hoping that the bilateral dialogue will be maintained and strengthened going forward.

"The Secretary General has long been encouraging both leaders of the two countries to engage in dialogue. He obviously welcomes this visit and this step in the right direction and he hopes that the dialogue will be maintained and strengthened," a UN spokesperson told PTI when asked about the UN chief's response to Modi's visit to Pakistan, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in more than a decade.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lu Kang said improvement in Indo-Pak ties is significant for regional peace, stability and development.

"The Chinese side has noticed the report and welcomes the latest development in the Pakistan-India relationship," Lu Kang said.

Lu said Pakistan and India are important countries in south Asia and the improvement of their relationship will be significant to regional peace, stability and development.

"As the common neighbour and friend of both Pakistan and India, China is happy to see and will support, as always, Pakistan and India to enhance mutual trust and achieve common development through continuous dialogue," he added.

Modi stayed for over two hours in Lahore on his way back home from Afghanistan on Friday during which he held talks with Sharif at his Raiwind house. (Monitoring Desk)