Imran Khan spoke at length about the kind of foreign relation he envisions Pakistan having with the US after the process of withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan concludes.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in an interview with The New York Times said he knew India better than all other Pakistanis and had enjoyed the country’s “love and respect” because of the shared love of the two nations for cricket. “You know, probably of all Pakistanis, I know India better than all of them. I had the love and respect for India [more] than anyone because cricket is a great sport. It’s almost a religion in both countries, ”said the legendary former cricketer.
He expressed disappointment at not being able to normalize trade relations with India despite communication after taking office, adding that a “civilized trade relationship” would be beneficial for both countries.
“So when I took office, the first thing I did was to approach Prime Minister Modi and say to him: ‘Look, my main objective to come to power is to reduce poverty. in Pakistan. And the best way would be for India and Pakistan to have normal and civilized trade relations. It would benefit both countries, ”Khan said.
“I think it’s a particular ideology of the RSS, of which Narendra Modi is a part, which has just hit a brick wall. And, therefore, the answer to your question is yes. If there had been another Indian leadership, I think we would have had a good relationship with them. And yes, we would have resolved all our differences through dialogue, ”he added.
Imran Khan also spoke at length about the type of foreign relations he plans to have with the United States after the process of withdrawing troops from Afghanistan is completed, saying they are similar to the type of relationship the United States has. maintain with UK and India. Which would be more “fair” than the one the two countries shared during the “war on terror”. During which “the United States considered that they were giving aid to Pakistan, they felt that Pakistan should then bow to the United States’ auction”,
“Now, after the United States leaves Afghanistan, Pakistan would basically want a civilized relationship, which you have between nations, and we would like to improve our trade relationship with the United States,” he said.
Khan expressed his uncertainty about the type of military relationship the two countries would share after the US withdrew from Afghanistan. “After the withdrawal of the United States, I don’t know what sort of military relationship it will be. But for now, the relationship should be based on this common goal that there is a political solution in Afghanistan before the US leaves, ”he said.
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When asked if Pakistan would recognize a Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, Khan said, “Pakistan will only recognize a government chosen by the Afghan people, no matter which government they choose.”
While pledging his full support for the government led by President Ashraf Ghani in Afghanistan, he asserted that Pakistan would not take “military action” against the Taliban, and in case they try to take control of Afghanistan. , Pakistan “would seal the border, because now we can, because we have closed our border (Durand Line), which was previously [open], because Pakistan does not want to enter conflict number one. Second, we do not want a new influx of refugees. “
Khan said the signing of the agreement in Doha on February 29, 2020 between the United States and Afghanistan, which would allow American troops to return home, reduced Pakistan’s influence over the Taliban because “at a time when the US gave a release date, the Taliban basically claimed victory. . They think they won the war. And so as a result, our ability to influence them decreases as they feel stronger. “
Khan also commented on Kashmir during his interview, saying: “I think this is a disaster for India because it will just mean that this conflict escalates over and over again… and (prevents) any relationship – normal relationship. – between Pakistan and India.
