ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said in an interview broadcast on Tuesday he believed in resolving differences through dialogue, but it was difficult to "move forward" with the current government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since the two gained independence from the British in 1947 and have shared a fractious relationship over the disputed Kashmir region. In 2019, tensions rose dramatically as they sent combat planes into each other’s territory. In August that year, New Delhi revoked the special status for the portion of Kashmir that it controls, scrapping a constitutional provision that allows the state of Jammu and Kashmir to make its own laws.

"I am one of those people who firmly believes that we should resolve all our differences through political dialogue," the Pakistan premier said, referring to India, which he said was currently ruled by an "extreme nationalist government."

"There hasn't been a government like this in India since our independence 74 years ago," Khan said. "Unfortunately, we find it very difficult to move forward with it."

He said Kashmir was Pakistan’s only issue with India.

"Rather than trying to resolve that issue, India has made things worse," the Pakistani premier said. "I hope sooner or later we will resolve it through political dialogue."

India accuses Pakistan of funding armed militants, along with separatist groups in India’s portion of the region. Islamabad denies the Indian accusation, saying it provides only diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris.

Speaking about bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and China, Khan said it was now headed towards the phase of industrialization and agriculture development. The PM was referring to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor under which Beijing had pledged $60 billion to Pakistani for infrastructure and energy projects in the first phase. Officials on both sides have said the project’s next phase will focus on developing industry and agriculture in Pakistan.

"It is very important that we cooperate with China for improving productivity of our agriculture," the PM added.

The Pakistani PM visited China to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics opening ceremony last week, and discussed bilateral cooperation and investment with top Chinese officials.

After the visit, Pakistan announced new incentives for Chinese investors, including approval exemptions for projects being set up in special economic zones under the CPEC umbrella.