ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan has once again offered India toresolve all differences through dialogue, which is the only way to sort outissues.
In an interview with Russian Media Outlet Sputnik on Thursday, he saidthere is no way that two nuclear-armed countries should think of resolvingdifferences through military means. Imran Khan said Kashmir is the maindifference between Pakistan and India and both countries should sit on thenegotiating table to resolve that issue peacefully. He said now electionsin India are over and both countries should get back on the dialogue tableto resolve the Kashmir issue for peace in the region by giving people ofKashmir right of self-determination as guaranteed by the United Nations. Hesaid India cannot subdue voice of the people of Kashmir by using force.
To a question regarding seeking any international mediation inreconciliation with India, Imran Khan said Pakistan is looking for any kindof mediation, as it believes that progress comes with peace and tensionswith neighbours detract from resources that can be spent on human beings.He said Pakistan believes in peace with all the neighbours, especially withIndia. He said money should be spent on getting people out of poverty, likeChina got millions and millions of people out of poverty.
Replying a query, Imran Khan said Kartarpur corridor for the Sikh communityhas been a great initiative from Pakistan and India should respondpositively to these measures to further people-to-people contacts.
Responding to nature of bilateral ties between Pakistan and Russian, ImranKhan emphasized on deepening cooperation in defence, trade, energy, andother sectors between the two countries. He said Pakistan has developed itscontacts with Russia, and they are developing all the time.
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The Prime Minister said we will welcome Russian trade delegations to investin Pakistan. He said we are opening up Pakistan for tourism, investment,and making it easier for countries to come and get a visa. There areseventy countries – and Russia is included in those countries who can come,the Russian can come and get a visa at the airport, he added.
Regarding plans to construct a 700-km railroad connecting Uzbekistan,Russia, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Imran Khan said this project will open upthe entire region. He said we cannot give a timeline for this project,because it depends on the amount of funds for this railway and peace inAfghanistan. To a question, he said peace in Afghanistan is in the bestinterest of Pakistan and Islamabad will always be ready to play any rolefor stability in the neighboring country.
Answering a question, Imran Khan said Pakistan is looking to diversify,find new markets or different relationships with SCO countries.
