As a neighbour, India will be engaging with a confident conservative Pakistani prime minister over the next five years or till Imran Khan continues to enjoy the confidence of the Pakistan Army.
After a triumph victory in 2018 general elections, Imran Khan in his first address said: “If they (India) take one step towards us, we will take two, but at least need a start”. While talking about Kashmir he said “Kashmir is the “core” issue between the two countries and it should be resolved through talks”
If India comes and takes one step towards us, we will take two steps toward them. Right now it is one sided where India is constantly just blaming us. @ImranKhanPTI #PrimeMinisterImranKhan
— PTI (@PTIofficial) July 26, 2018
He may want friendly relations with India, but he might find himself surrounded or restricted by the give-and-take of negotiations. In 2016 following a Uri attack Pakistan was forced to call off the summit when India, followed by Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan said they wouldn’t attend the summit due to Pakistan’s stance on terrorism.
Since Pakistan military enjoys the support of majority the population of Pakistan, as defenders of the country, unlike any political party. It holds major authority in defining the policies of Pakistan, especially the foreign policy and more specifically the foreign policy regarding India and Kashmir.
He may be persuaded to try and build better ties with India because of the seriousness of his country’s economic problems since the economy is any way the biggest worry for the Pakistani government and Imran Khan understands it better. Even in his address, he said that both India and Pakistan should improve trading between them so that both the countries get benefited from it.
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