Told Modi dialogue only way forward: Imran Khan

During his address at the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Conference in Colombo, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said he approached Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and told him that differences can only be resolved through dialogue.

Colombo: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is on a maiden official visit to Sri Lanka, has said that soon after he came to power in 2018, he approached India and told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the way forward for the subcontinent is to resolve differences through dialogue, Dawn reported.

Imran Khan, who addressed the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Conference in Colombo, said the only way the subcontinent can tackle poverty is by improving trade relations.

Read:|India permits Imran Khan's aircraft to use its airspace for travel to Sri Lanka

"Immediately when I came into power, I approached our neighbour India and explained to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the way forward for the subcontinent is to resolve our differences through dialogue," he said.

"I didn't succeed but I am optimistic that eventually, sense will prevail. The only way the subcontinent can tackle poverty is by improving trade relations. Let us live like civilised neighbours as the Europeans live, " he added, according to Dawn.

Read:|'Pak PM's Sri Lanka visit aims at gaining brownie points to be used against India'

The remarks came a day after India had allowed Imran Khan's aircraft to use its air space on his way to Colombo.

Days before Pakistan Prime Minister's visit, Sri Lanka had cancelled his scheduled speech in Parliament. A report published in Colombo Gazette had said the Sri Lankan government cannot risk its relations with India when it is getting stuck in the Chinese debt-trap and India is providing COVID-19 vaccines.

ANI

Read:|Imran Khan not to address Sri Lanka parliament