Imran Khan 'propped up' by army, army still rules Pakistan: VK Singh

Former Army chief and Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh on Monday said that the new Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was "propped up" by the army and the army still rules Pakistan, adding that it remains to be seen whether Khan would be able to bring about a change, even as Home minister Rajnath Singh shared similar sentiments.

Speaking to reporters on the side lines of the ‘Smart Border Management’ event organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers for Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in the national capital, VK Singh said that India is adopting a ‘wait and watch’ approach after the installation of a new government in Pakistan.

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Responding to a question on incidents of infiltration at the border after the change of government in Pakistan, the union minister said, "Did you all expect a change? I don't know. After all, the person has been propped up by the (Pakistan) army. The army still rules. So, let's wait and watch how things go - whether the person remains under army control or doesn't remain under its control.”

VK Singh added that dialogue with Pakistan can happen only if the environment is "conducive" for talks.

“India's policy is very clear. Dialogue can happen only when the environment is conducive, Singh said on the question whether there had been any attempts from Pakistan to initiate further dialogue with India.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was in Jammu to inaugurate two pilot projects of high-tech comprehensive integrated border management system (CIBMS) along the International Border, also suggested that he did not see any change towards India under Khan though he hoped for Pakistan to change its mindset end 'support to terrorism' as India wants good relations with its neighbour.

"Pakistan has its own mindset and we cannot change its nature," Rajnath Singh said on the question about Pakistan's continued support to terrorism despite change of government there.

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"They (Pakistan) have to do it on their own (to give up supporting terrorism). They have to understand how the neighbours are treated. India tried its best, keeping in mind the neighbourly relations, and initiated measures like our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) broke the protocol and visited Pakistan for the sake of better relations but if they fail to understand what one can do,” the home minister added.

(With PTI inputs)