Imran Khan
Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician, Imran Khan's party had planned countrywide protests in Pakistan.REUTERS/Mohsin Raza

Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician, Imran Khan, said he grew up hating India due to the bloodshed and violence associated with the partition. However, he added, his views changed after he toured the country when playing cricket.

"I grew up hating India because I grew up in Lahore and there was so much...the massacres of 1947, so much bloodshed and anger," said Khan, the 58-year-old founder of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), in an interview by Karan Thapar for CNN-IBN's "Devil's Advocate".

He added that as time passed and he realized the commonality of history and culture, his views changed. He also spoke of his intention to strengthen bilateral ties, should his political party come to power in the next general elections.

"I have no prejudice against any country, and more specifically, India," said Khan, when asked if his vision would guide his future political relationship with India.