British Prime Minister David Cameron today insisted he had a duty to say what he thought and rejected claims he had damaged relations with Pakistan.

Despite anger in Islamabad about his remarks about Pakistan's record on terrorism, Cameron said: "I don't think the British taxpayer wants me to go around the world saying what people want to hear."

He denied that the row had overshadowed his trip to India and maintained that he had good relations with Pakistan, whose president will be visiting him at his country retreat at Chequers next week.

Cameron said he was not responsible for the headlines generated by his comments, but said: "I think what is absolutely clear is, it's not acceptable for, within Pakistan, there to be terrorist groups threatening Pakistan itself but also other countries, including British people, whether in Afghanistan or back at home."

Asked whether he regretted damaging relations with Pakistan, he said: "I don't accept that they have been damaged. We have very good relations with Pakistan - I have a meeting with President (Asif Ali) Zardari next week in the UK and I look forward to discussing these and other issues." (ANI)