Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan was sworn in as Pakistan prime minister in August.
Highlights
- VK Singh said dialogue can happen only when the environment is conducive
- On border infiltration, he said India has to wait and watch how things go
- VK Singh did not refer to Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan by name
Union minister VK Singh said the army still rules Pakistan despite the election of Imran Khan as the new prime minister, adding that it remains to be seen whether "the person" will be able to bring about a change. India is adopting a "wait and watch" approach, he added.
While Home Minister Rajnath Singh agreed with VK Singh, he expressed hope that there will be a change in the attitude of the new government in Islamabad towards India.
"I don't think that there will be any change in Pakistan's nature. I pray to God that there would be change. I hope the change will be better than before," the home minister said.
"Pakistan has its own nature and we cannot change it. What Pakistan can do (to change its nature), it will have to do itself. Pakistan has to understand how to behave with neighbours," Rajnath Singh said.
Responding to a question on incidents of infiltration at the border after the change of government in Pakistan, VK Singh 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.
He did not refer to Mr Khan by name.
Dialogue with Pakistan can happen only if the environment is "conducive" for talks, the minister added on the sidelines of the opening of a two-day conference - Smart Border Management - organised by FICCI.
"India's policy is very clear. Dialogue can happen only when the environment is conducive," Mr Singh said when asked whether there have been any attempts from Pakistan to initiate further dialogue with India.
Referring to reports of proposals to open the Kartarpur border crossing for Sikh pilgrims, VK Singh said India has "not received any proposal" from Pakistan to open the route.
"Nothing has come from the government's (Pakistan) side. This issue has been going on for a very long time. If anything comes about we will let you know," he said.
Earlier, addressing the gathering, Mr Singh said India's border is unique and therefore "one solution" cannot be devised to make it more secure.
"From plains to deserts and mountains and other terrains, one kind of solution cannot be applied to our border and the variety of the terrain has to be factored in while designing any solutions for making the border security more robust and smart," he said.