Imran says dialogue only way to resolve ConfliCts
PRIME Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that dialogue to resolve longstanding disputes is the only way forward for the South Asian region, Radio Pakistan reported.
Addressing the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Trade and Investment Conference in Colombo, the premier recalled: “Immediately when I came into power [in 2018], 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.”
“I didn’t succeed [in doing so] but I am optimistic that eventually, sense will prevail,” he added.
“The only way the subcontinent can tackle poverty is by improving trade relations. Let us live like civilised neighbours as the Europeans live.
Germany and France have fought multiple times [between 16th and 20th century], but today it is unthinkable for them to have a conflict because they are so interlinked due to trade. Similarly, my dream for the subcontinent is that we resolve our differences.”
“Kashmir issue,” he said, “was the only conflict in the region.” “All we want is for the Kashmir dispute to be resolved according to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and this can only be achieved through dialogue.”
Imran said that a conflict between two nations only breeds more conflict. “We need to resolve our differences through dialogue and not through conflict. Imagine the potential for trade within the subcontinent,” he said.
The only thing stopping the region from realising this potential was the inability to resolve differences through dialogue.
He expressed confidence that Pakistan could also play its part in reducing rising tensions between the United States and China.
The Trade and Investment Conference was organised in a bid to explore avenues of collaboration in diverse fields between the two counties. Regarding their relations, the premier said: “Terrorism has affected both Pakistan and Sri Lanka and counties in the region can end poverty by establishing trade relations.”
“We would much rather be a country that brings other nations and humanity together,” he said.
PM Imran urged the Sri Lankan businessmen to explore the immense opportunities offered by the government of Pakistan in the form of ease-of-doing-business. imran, raJaPaKsa disCUss bilaTEral TiEs: Earlier in the day, PM Imran and Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa held a one-on-one meeting at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, APP reported.
During the talks held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, the premier underlined the exceptional quality of Pakistan-Sri Lanka ties marked by trust, understanding and mutual support.
HE emphasised the importance of building a robust economic partnership characterised by enhanced bilateral trade, investments, and commercial cooperation.
He also laid emphasis on deeper collaboration in diverse fields — particularly agriculture, tourism, science and technology, sports, education and culture.
The importance of sharing experiences in poverty alleviation was stressed.
Imran recalled that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have always stood by each other in testing times and reaffirmed Islamabad’s steadfast support to Colombo in future.