Asian soldier says Prince Harry's 'not racist'

London, Jan 17 (ANI): The Asian soldier at the centre of the Prince Harry 'Paki' row came out in defence of the British Royal, insisting that "he's not racist".

The third in line to the throne, who is honing his flying skills to become a pilot of the meanest attack machine in the British Army, was said to have invited trouble as he called an Asian officer "our little Paki friend".

The royal, in a light-hearted manner, apparently told another cadet, who was wearing a camouflage veil off duty, "F*** me, you look like a raghead"- a nasty term to refer to an Arab.

Captain Ahmed Raza Khan, who is serving in Pakistan Army, defended the prince saying 'he's my friend'.

"The Prince called me by a nickname which is usually very insulting, but I know he didn't mean it that way. He phoned me to apologise and I have no hard feelings. We need to close this chapter now," The Sun quoted Raza Khan as saying.

"When I spoke to Harry he told me he never meant what people may think about the so-called nickname and I believe him.

"We were close friends when we were training and I know he is not a racist. I have no reason to take up the issue again.

"Since he has apologised, I would say, let bygones be bygones," he added.

Ahmed, son of a retired bank manager, was one of 440 elite cadets from his country chosen to spend 44 weeks training alongside Harry at Sandhurst, the prestigious military academy in Surrey, between May 2005 and April 2006. (ANI)