Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan has said that after the Lok Sabha elections are over in India, his country is hoping for a ‘civilized relationship’ with its neighbour.
According to the state run APP new agency, Khan added that while Pakistan has a “decent relationship” with other countries, its relationship with India is the “only problem” for ensuring peace and stability in the region.
“Whatever happens in Afghanistan affects Pakistan’s bordering areas. So we are working for a peaceful region. We have a decent relationship with Iran and we are trying to strengthen them. The only problem right now is our relationship with India,” he told state-run APP news agency, according to PTI. “But we are hoping that after the Indian elections, we will again hope to have a civilized relationship with India too,” he said.
His remarks come weeks after he had said that there may be a better chance of peace talks with India if PM Narendra Modi’s BJP comes to power again. Khan said that the Congress party might be too scared to seek a settlement with Pakistan over Kashmir, fearing a backlash from the right wing if they come to power.
“Perhaps if the BJP – a right-wing party – wins, some kind of settlement in Kashmir could be reached,” Imran Khan told journalists in an interview.
The Congress had lashed out at Modi saying that Pakistan has ‘officially sided’ with Modi and vote for him would be a vote for Pakistan.
Khan, who is currently in China to take part in the 2nd Belt and Road Forum, (BRF), said that unless there is peace and stability in the region, economic prosperity is difficult for Pakistan, and that is what right now the Pakistan government is working on.
