Imran Khan Wants TV Debate With PM Modi
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said today that he would like to have a televised debate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to resolve differences between the two nations.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is going on a 2 day visit to Moscow, Russia. This is the first time in about 2 decades that a Pakistani Prime Minister is visiting Russia. He will have meetings with President Vladimir Putin and discuss major regional and international issues. On 23rd February on the eve of his visit to Russia in an interview with Russia's state-run television network RT, Imran Khan, when asked about India- Pakistan, said that he would like to have a TV debate with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve differences between the two neighbouring countries. He said, "I would love to debate with Narendra Modi on TV.” He added that it would be so good for over a billion people of the subcontinent if differences between Pakistan and India could be resolved through a debate. Imran Khan said when his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf came into power in 2018 he immediately reached out to India and asked the Indian leadership to sit down at the table and resolve the Kashmir issue. He, however, regretted that India did not respond positively.
Ties between India and Pakistan have been tensed since Independence 75 years back and from the time of the partition. However the relations kept becoming worse after the 3 wars, and the various terror attacks by terror groups based in Pakistan. The relations further deteriorated after India announced withdrawing the special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of the State into two Union Territories in August, 2019. India's Ministry of External Affairs has not immediately responded to the request for comment. India has repeatedly told Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir was, is and shall forever remain an integral part of the country. It also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda. India has told Pakistan that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan with no terror, and violence. India has told Pakistan repeatedly that dialogue can only happen in a "terror-free atmosphere". India has asked Pakistan to show evidence of its crackdown on terrorists responsible for the attacks in India before talks can be held. Prime Minister Khan also expressed hope for a "peaceful solution" to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine as he emphasized that military conflicts could never solve problems.
