KARACHI, Jan 4 Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said here on Monday that Pakistan wanted best relations with the entire world, especially the neighbouring countries, but it would never compromise on national sovereignty, dignity and interests.

He condemned what he described as an irresponsible statement recently made by the Indian army chief and said it was against India's own interests and would damage the process of bringing all South Asian counties closer to each other for peace and economic prosperity of the region.

Being a responsible nation, he said, Pakistan did not believe in sensationalism.

“I would call it an absurd statement. It doesn't befit a person holding such an important and responsible position,” the foreign minister said while talking to journalists at the residence of Sindh Minister for Population Welfare Syed Ali Mardan Shah where he had gone to offer condolences on the death of his father.

Mr Qureshi said he was always careful in his statements, keeping the interests of the country, the nation and the region in mind.

The Pakistan government, he said, had adopted a responsible and balanced attitude.

He said Pakistan wanted to continue the composite dialogue with India which had proved helpful in resolving various issues.

Responding to a question, he said China was a trusted friend and it was playing an important role in Pakistan's development.

About Iran, the foreign minister said the government had succeeded in reviving and strengthening relations with Tehran.

“We have enhanced interaction and coordination on different fronts, including diplomatic one, and there are frequent visits of delegations of government functionaries of the two countries.”

He said the government had achieved good progress in the gas pipeline project with Iran which had remained in doldrums for 25 years.

He said he had invited foreign ministers of Iran and Afghanistan to Islamabad so that a clear and joint regional approach could be adopted at the international conference scheduled to be held in London on Jan 28.

About Pakistan's position in Saarc, the foreign minister said Pakistan had strengthened relations with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. He referred to his recent meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who had extended an invitation to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to visit her country.The foreign minister said that no sensible person could demand a change in the popularly elected government fully recognised by the international community.

Highlighting PPP's policy of reconciliation and accommodation, he said that in Sindh his party had a clear working majority and did not need any coalition partner, but it formed a coalition government to promote reconciliation.

In Punjab, he said, the PPP had offers to form its government with the support of the PML-Q, but it had honoured the mandate of the PML-N, setting aside all political differences with them.—APP