Pakistan not asked to choose between US and China: State Department
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WASHINGTON: The State Department on Wednesday maintained that Pakistan was not being pressured to choose sides between the US and China and that relations with Islamabad were “based on a close relationship with our people”.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller was asked during a press briefing about Pakistan’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar’s statement that Islamabad did not want to pick a fight in the growing global rivalry between Washington and Beijing. Is
“No, the US does not ask Pakistan or any other country to choose between the US and the PRC [People’s Republic of China] or the US and any other country,” the spokesman said.
Miller said relations with Pakistan are based on close people-to-people ties and the United States will continue to seek ways to expand its partnership and economic ties with the South Asian country.
“Our economic cooperation with Pakistan reflects our vision for a region of free, strong, and prosperous nations. And our relationship is based on the spirit of respect and partnership.”
The US has welcomed Pakistan’s IMF agreement.
The spokesperson also commented on the recently concluded staff-level agreement between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a $3 billion bailout package.
A State Department official did not deny reports that the US played a key role in securing the deal for Pakistan.
“What I will say is that we stand with the people of Pakistan in this difficult time. We welcome the progress that has been made in reaching a staff-level agreement between the IMF and Pakistan,” he said. Is.” Islamabad responded by promising to continue its support.
“Our support for the country’s economic success is unwavering.”
He added that the US will continue to engage with Pakistan through technical engagements and strengthen its trade and investment ties, all of which are among the priorities of the bilateral relationship.
“We believe Pakistan has a lot of work to do to get on a long-term sustainable path to economic recovery and prosperity, but we will stand with them in the process.”
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