Pakistan PM Imran Khan Praises India's Foreign Policy, Says 'Its For Betterment Of People'

PM Khan was speaking during a public rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region where he appreciated India’s foreign policy and said that the country imported oil from Russia despite American sanctions

New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan acknowledged India’s foreign policy as independent and said that it is for the betterment of the people, reported news agency ANI. PM Khan’s statement comes at a time when he is facing a no-confidence motion against him in the Pakistan National Assembly. 

A session of the National Assembly has been called on March 25. 

Prime Minister Khan was speaking during a public rally in the Malakand Area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region where he appreciated India’s foreign policy and said that the country imported oil from Russia despite American sanctions and is an ally of the US as well — his foreign policy would also favour the people of Pakistan, The Express Tribune reported on Sunday, quoted ANI.

"I praise our neighbouring country as they always had an independent foreign policy. Today India is in their (America) alliance and they are part of QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue); they say that they are neutral. They are importing oil from Russia despite sanctions because their policy is for the betterment of people," he said.

"I haven't bowed before anyone and will not let my nation bow either," Imran was quoted by The Express Tribune as saying.

As a consequence of Russia invading Ukraine on February 24, US President Joe Biden had imposed sanctions on Russia banning Russian oil, natural gas, and coal imports to the US on March 8.  

"Today I am announcing that the United States is targeting the main artery of Russia's economy. We're banning all imports of Russian oil and gas and energy," Biden had said in remarks from the White House. "That means Russian oil will no longer be acceptable at US ports and the American people will deal another powerful blow to Putin's war machine."