Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday highlighted the need forbetter ties with India, but said it is “not a good time” for such aconversation, referring to Pakistan’s emphatic win against the latter inthe T20 World Cup .
Addressing the Pakistan-Saudi Investment Forum in Riyadh, the premier spokeabout Pakistan’s growth potential and highlighted the country’s youth andstrategic location.
“We have two of the biggest markets in the world neighbouring us, throughAfghanistan we have [access] to Central Asian markets.
“We have excellent relations with China, but if somehow we improve ourrelationship with India — I know after last night’s thrashing by thePakistan team in the cricket match, it’s not a very good time to talk aboutimproving relations with India,” he said.
The prime minister’s remarks came a day after Pakistan made history bydefeating India for the first time in a World Cup fixture. The win wasPakistan’s first in 13 World Cup matches (seven in the 50 over World Cupand six in the Twenty20 World Cup) dating back to 1992 in Australia.
Speaking in Riyadh, the premier said that the two countries had only oneissue — Indian-occupied Kashmir, and called for resolving it like”civilised” neighbours.
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“It’s all about human rights and the rights of the people of Kashmir forself-determination as guaranteed by the United Nations Security Council 72years ago.
“If that right is given to them, we have no other problems. The twocountries can live as civilised neighbours […] just imagine thepotential.”
He said that India would gain access to Central Asia through Pakistan andin turn the latter would gain access to two huge markets.
“This is what I want to impress upon the Saudi business community, thatcircumstances never remain the same. They always change.”
