Remarks come after US President Biden referred to as Pakistan ‘probably the most harmful international locations’ on this planet.
America has expressed its “confidence” in Pakistan’s capacity to safe its nuclear arsenal, days after President Joe Biden referred to as the nation probably the most harmful nations on this planet and stated it had “nuclear weapons with none cohesion”.
In a press briefing on Monday, state division spokesperson Vedant Patel stated the US has all the time seen a safe and affluent Pakistan as important to US pursuits and that it was assured of Pakistan’s dedication and its capacity to safe its nuclear property”.
The remarks got here after a gathering between Derek Chollet, state division counsellor, and Pakistan envoy to the US, Masood Khan.
In a tweet after the assembly, Chollet wrote that he met the ambassador to debate the “longstanding partnership” between the 2 international locations and to additional develop ties.
Mentioned with @CounselorDOS methods to construct additional resilience in #PAKUS ties and increase strategic belief. Excessive stage visits, folks to folks exchanges and efficient communication would proceed to fortify relations. Thanked Mr Chollet for his constructive position. https://t.co/19sfk0LHT4
— Masood Khan (@Masood__Khan) October 18, 2022
Khan responded the following day, writing that he and Chollet mentioned “methods to construct additional resilience in #PAKUS ties and increase strategic belief.”
Neither Pakistan’s overseas ministry nor its info ministry responded to Al Jazeera’s inquiries concerning the US assertion.
Pakistan had summoned the US ambassador following remarks by Biden throughout a speech on the Democratic Congressional Marketing campaign Committee on October 13.
Within the midst of discussing China’s President Xi Jinping and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Biden stated: “And what I feel is possibly probably the most harmful nations on this planet: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons with none cohesion.”
Two days later, Pakistan’s overseas minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari stated Pakistan had summoned the US ambassador to demand a proof of Biden’s assertion.
“We're totally able to safeguarding our nuclear weapons, and so they meet each worldwide commonplace in accordance with the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] so far as safety and security is worried,” Bilawal advised a press convention within the southern metropolis of Karachi.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif additionally rejected Biden’s assertions, calling them “factually incorrect and deceptive”.
“Over the previous many years, Pakistan has confirmed to be a most accountable nuclear state, whereby its nuclear programme is managed by way of a technically sound and foolproof command and management system,” Sharif stated in an announcement.
Bilateral ties
In recent times, Pakistan has steadily established nearer financial and defence ties with regional ally China, one of many US’s foremost geopolitical rivals.
Nonetheless, the previous couple of months have seen a gradual improve in interplay between senior officers of Pakistan and the US.
Each Sharif and Bhutto-Zardari travelled to the US in September, and Pakistan’s military chief, Normal Qamar Javed Bajwa, visited Washington, DC, this month.
US officers, together with Chollet, visited Pakistan within the aftermath of current floods in early September.
The floods killed greater than 1,700 folks and affected some 33 million. The US has supplied $66m in assist thus far.
After not having an envoy to Pakistan for 4 years, the US additionally appointed Donald Blome earlier this yr, seen as many as a shift in angle.
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