Despite clamor of criticism in Washington alleging Pakistani duplicity over the fact that al-Qaeda leader had been hiding in Abbottabad, Gilani claimed the role of aggrieved party in a deteriorating relationship. He complained repeatedly throughout the 45-minute breakfast interview about the widening "trust deficit" between the two allies.

Alternating between Urdu and English, he said cooperation between the CIA and its Pakistani counterpart, ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence), had "broken down and that Washington and Islamabad differed on how to fight terrorism and forge an exit strategy in Afghanistan."

Gilani warned that his government was accountable to an electorate that is increasingly hostile to the US "I am not an army dictator; I'm a public figure. If public opinion is against you [referring to his US allies], then I cannot resist it to stand with you. I have to go with public opinion."

Of US Abbottabad raid, he said, "Naturally, we wondered why [the US went unilaterally. If we're fighting a war together, we have to work together. Even if there was credible and actionable information, then we should have done it jointly." Prime Minister said he was first alerted to the raid by a 2 a.m. call from Army Chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. Gilani then called his Foreign Secretary and asked him to demand an explanation from US Ambassador Cameron Munter. "I have not met or spoken to [US officials] since," he complained. "Whatever information we are receiving is from the media. Today we have said that we want them to talk to us directly."

The deepening rift between Washington and Islamabad casts a shadow over Afghanistan, where their cooperation is vital to enable a US exit strategy. Gilani emphasized his strengthening links with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and many bonds that unite the two peoples. But that doesn't necessarily translate into support for the US strategy there. "In our discussions with Karzai, we came to an agreement that terrorists are our common enemy. We both have suffered; we both have made sacrifices. So we have decided to unite to fight against them,"

He acknowledged his abiding "difference of opinion" with Washington on how best to fight militancy.

"From Day One, my policy has been three Ds: dialogue, development and deterrence. The first time I shared my strategy with President Bush, it sounded Greek to him. Today the whole world is toeing the same line." In that vein, he criticized US surge in Afghanistan: "Military solutions cannot be permanent solutions. There has to be a political solution, some kind of exit strategy." He favors a political solution to the conflict next door, led by the Afghans. "It should be owned by them and be on their own initiative." He saw Pakistan's role as that of a "facilitator."

As its ties with Washington fray, Pakistan is strengthening its regional ties. Gilani recently visited India; next week, he will travel to China. He rejects any suggestion that Pakistan will compensate for any cooling of US support by drawing closer to China. "We already have a stronger relationship with China. It is time-tested." He doesn't believe Washington is really going to cut aid. If it does, he said, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

Gilani does fear that a deteriorating relationship with Washington could hurt Pakistan's fight against domestic militancy. "When there's a trust deficit," he said, "there will be problems in intelligence sharing." On reason for this trust deficit, he said, "It's not from our side. Ask them. Traditionally, the ISI worked with the CIA," he said.

Now "what we're seeing is that there's no level of trust." He said drone war weakens his efforts to rally public support for fight against extremism. "No one can win a war without the support of public. I say that this is my war, but when drones strike, the people ask, 'Whose war is this, then?' A drone strategy can be worked out," he said. "If drone strikes are effective, then we should evolve a common strategy to win over public opinion. Our position is that the technology should be transferred to us."

Despite references to trust deficit, Gilani indicated he hoped to see a restoration of closer ties with Washington but put onus on Washington to gain support of Pakistani citizens. "They should do something for the public which will persuade them that the US is supportive of Pakistan," he said.

As an example, he enviously cited the 2008 US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement. "It's our public that's dying, but the deal is happening there. You claim there's a strategic partnership? That we're best friends?"