Pakistan's Imran Khan expresses desire to have TV debate with PM Modi to resolve differences

New Delhi: In what will be termed as another political gimmick, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed his desire to have a television debate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the differences between the two nations.

India and Pakistan have shared strained relations since gaining independence 75 years ago and fighting three wars since.

"I would love to debate with Narendra Modi on TV," Imran Khan told English language TV channel Russia Today (RT) in an interview.

The Pakistan Prime Minister has asserted that it would be "beneficial" for the 1.7 billion people in the subcontinent if differences (between Pakistan and India) are resolved through debate.

Claiming that his government's policy is to have trade relations will all countries, Khan said, "India became a hostile country, so trade with them became minimal," according to RT.

India's Ministry of External Affairs has not immediately responded to a request for comment by news agency Reuters.

India has in recent times made it clear to Pakistan that "terror and talks cannot go hand-in-hand", demanding Pakistan to crack down on terror groups and punish terrorists, some of who are designated so by the United Nations.

Imran Khan's interview came on the eve of a visit to Moscow, where he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin - which is considered crucial as it will be the first visit by a top Pakistan leader to Russia in more than 20 years.

The two-day visit for talks on economic cooperation was planned before the current crisis over Ukraine.

This doesn't concern us, we have a bilateral relation with Russia and we really want to strength it," Imran Khan said of the Ukraine crisis.