Pakistan won’t accept India’s regional hegemony: Khar
July 25th, 2011 - 1:38 pm ICT by IANS
Islamabad, July 25 (IANS) Pakistan would not accept the hegemony of any country in the region as it is “by no means inferior to India”, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, who is scheduled to go to New Delhi Tuesday, has said.
“Pakistan’s role in the region is by no means inferior to India,” she told mediapersons at the Lahore Airport on her return from the ministerial meeting of the ASEAN regional forum Sunday.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s had said during her visit to India that New Delhi must play a more assertive role in Asia.
Khar said outstanding issues with India could not be settled overnight, reported Associated Press of Pakistan.
Pakistan’s new foreign minister, who will hold talks with her Indian counterpart Wednesday, said the international community must extend cooperation to Pakistan in recognition of the country’s role as a frontline ally in combating terror.
To a query, Khar said strategic relations with China were moving from strength to strength with every passing day.
On her meeting with Clinton, she said a strong working relationship with the US was in the national interest of Pakistan.
The minister said that the US secretary of state had expressed her willingness to bring relations back on track with Pakistan as well as remove any reservations between the countries.
“Whatever be the role of a country in the region, Pakistan’s importance can not diminished at and the US acknowledges the fact,” she said.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had said Saturday that Pakistan would not accept the hegemony of any country in the region.
“We don’t want any Chaudhry (regional chief) in the region,” he said.
Clinton had made her comments on India as a an emerging regional and global power during a three-day visit to India July 18-20 for the second strategic dialogue between the two countries.
She said: “India is a global leader. And the US wholeheartedly supports this development and sees great benefits in our growing partnership”.
- Pakistan won't allow regional hegemony: Gilani - Jul 29, 2011
- India, Pakistan to firm up agenda for foreign ministers Tuesday (Lead) - Jul 25, 2011
- Won't accept any country's supremacy in region: Gilani - Jul 24, 2011
- Pakistan disputes Clinton on Al Qaeda chief - May 07, 2012
- Pakistani foreign minister leaves for Britain - Feb 20, 2012
- Khar mouthing 'vacuous platitudes', says Pakistani daily - Jul 26, 2011
- Pakistan, China ties are unique: Hina Rabbani Khar - Aug 24, 2011
- 'Pakistan improving ties with India' - Mar 06, 2012
- Pakistan says will cooperate with India in Mumbai probe (Second Lead) - Jul 26, 2011
- Khar hopes for fruitful India, Pakistan dialogue - Sep 28, 2011
- India serious about talks, says Pakistani foreign minister - Jul 24, 2011
- Krishna congratulates Pakistan's new foreign minister - Jul 20, 2011
- Memogate raised critical questions about Pakistan: Foreign Minister - Nov 26, 2011
- Khar calls Clinton to convey anger over NATO attack - Nov 27, 2011
- Enough is enough, says Pakistan on spilling citizens' blood - Nov 30, 2011
Tags: asean regional forum, foreign minister, gilani, global leader, global power, hillary clinton, hina rabbani khar, indian counterpart, islamabad, lahore airport, national interest, New Delhi, rabbani, raza, regional chief, regional hegemony, secretary of state, strength to strength, us secretary of state, yousuf