- PM Imran Khan terms Indian foreign policy “independent” and for betterment of its people.
- Says despite being member of quad alliance with US, India calls itself “neutral”.
- Says his foreign policy would also favour the people of Pakistan.
BATKHELA: Prime Minister Imran Khan hailed the Indian government for an “independent” foreign policy, saying that the Indian foreign policy was for the betterment of its people, The Country News reported Monday, citing international media.
“Today, I praise India for always maintaining an independent foreign policy,” PM Imran Khan said while addressing a public rally in the Dargai tehsil of the Malakand district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday.
The premier said that India is a member of the quad alliance, with the United States as one of its members, but it still calls itself “neutral”. He further stated that India is still importing oil from Russia, regardless of the sanctions the country is facing due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.
“This is because India’s foreign policy is for its people,” he said.
During the rally, the prime minister told his supporters his foreign policy would also favour the people of Pakistan.
“I haven’t bowed before anyone and will not let my nation bow either,” said PM Imran Khan, who is rallying public support ahead of a no-confidence vote against him in Parliament.
Breaking from the tradition of not openly discussing complicated matters relating to foreign relations in public rallies, PM Imran Khan mentioned that he had said “absolutely not” to the EU envoys seeking Pakistan’s support against Russia in the Russia-Ukraine conflict because “they broke protocol by making the request”.
He said that Pakistan would have gained nothing by complying with the EU’s request.
“We became part of America’s war against terror in Afghanistan and lost 80,000 people and $100 billion.”
The Indian media is giving wide coverage to — and celebrating — Imran Khan’s statement, with his remarks making headlines in Indian print and electronic media.