Islamabad

Ahead of a no-confidence motion on March 25, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has praised India’s saying it is “independent and for the betterment of people”.

At a public rally in the Malakand area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, the embattled Prime Minister lauded India and said that the country imported oil from Russia despite American sanctions and is an ally of the US as well. He also insisted that his foreign policy would also favour the people of Pakistan, The Express Tribune reported.

"I praise our neighbouring country as they always had an independent foreign policy. Today India is in their (America) alliance and they are part of QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue); they say that are neutral. They are importing oil from Russia despite sanctions because their policy is for the betterment of people," he said.

"I haven't bowed before anyone and will not let my nation bow either," The Express Tribune quoted Imran was quoted by as saying.

On March 8, US President Joe Biden announced the banning of Russian oil, natural gas, and coal imports to the US in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The US move was unilateral and without the involvement of its European allies. Notably, there were some disagreements among European nations about whether to ban Russian energy imports.