‘India gained independence with us…’: Imran Khan praises India

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has once again expressed his displeasure with the Shehbaz Sharif government by lavishing praise on India. “If India, which gained independence alongside us, can frame its foreign policy to meet the needs of its people and ensure self-sufficiency, then who are these people…who say, ‘beggars are not choosers,'” the cricketer-turned-politician can be heard saying in a video of a mega event in Lahore.

At the event on Saturday, Khan was referring to India’s stance on buying oil from Russia despite Western pressure during the Ukraine war. “The United States advised India not to purchase oil from Russia.” The United States considers India to be a strategic ally. “We (Pakistan) have no alliance with the United States,” Khan said at the event.

He was referring to S Jaishankar’s remarks a few months ago about Europe’s reliance on Russian energy when asked about India’s decision to continue buying oil after the Ukraine war began during a foreign visit. “They (the West) squeeze every other source and then tell us not to rely on Russia,” S Jaishankar was heard saying in a clip played by Imran Khan. At the time, India’s foreign minister was praised for the remark.

The remark was made during a political squabble in Lahore. “We had discussed purchasing cheaper oil from Russia, but this government lacks the courage to resist US pressure.” Fuel prices are skyrocketing, and many people are living in poverty. “I am against slavery,” Khan said, criticising his country’s government.

This is not the first time Khan has praised India in the midst of attacks on Shehbaz Sharif, who formed the government following the collapse of Imran Khan’s government due to a no-confidence vote.