WASHINGTON: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday spoke to Secretary of State Antony Blanken during which the United States offered “firm” support to Pakistan in its fight against terrorism as the country faces growing threats from the outlawed TTP. dealing with
In a statement issued by a State Department spokesperson, the Secretary expressed his continued support for the people of Pakistan as they recover from the recent devastating floods.
Spoke with Pakistani Foreign Minister @BBhuttoZardari to express our continued support for the people of Pakistan as they recover from devastating floods. I hope for a productive climate conference next month and give my condolences for the lives lost in recent terrorist attacks.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) December 20, 2022
The two leaders expressed their mutual hope for a fruitful international conference on climate resilient Pakistan in January and discussed the “need for close coordination”.
“The Secretary condoled the loss of life in the recent terrorist attacks and reiterated the United States’ steadfast support to Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.”
Spoke with @SecBlinken & conveyed gratitude of GoP for USG’s flood assist. of $97 m. Will continue coop. for rebuilding resilient infrastructure in 🇵🇰 & to further enhance & diversify bilateral relations & to work together for regional peace & stability.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) December 20, 2022
The Pakistani foreign minister is in Washington and has met various US lawmakers as well as a section of the Pakistani diaspora.
The State Department also maintained on Monday that Pakistan remains a partner of the United States when it comes to common challenges, including the challenge of terrorist groups — terrorist groups inside Afghanistan and terrorist groups along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. .
During a press briefing, State Department spokesman Ned Price said the department was following up on reports that militants had taken over a counterterrorism center in Bannu and expressed its deepest sympathies to those injured. .
The spokesperson urged those responsible for the attack to cease all acts of violence, safely release the hostages, and end the occupation of the counter-terrorism center.
“We have partnered with our Pakistani friends to help them meet this challenge. We stand ready to help, whether in this emerging situation or more broadly,” the spokesperson said. said
The spokesman added that there are terrorist groups in Afghanistan, in the Afghan-Pakistan border region, which are potentially a clear threat not only to Pakistan but also to countries and people outside of it.
“We are in regular dialogue with our Pakistani partners. We stand ready to help them deal with the threats they face,” the spokesperson said.
In response to a question on FM Bilawal’s statement about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the spokesperson said that US relations with India and Pakistan stand on their own – and are not zero-sum.
The spokesperson said that the US has a security partnership with Pakistan and a global strategic partnership with India.
“We see the importance—inevitable reality—of maintaining a valued partnership with both our Indian and our Pakistani friends.
“Each of these relationships is also multi-dimensional,” the spokesperson said, adding, “So as we deepen our global strategic partnership with India, we are also — our relationship is There is also one in which we can be open and honest with one another
“Where we have differences or concerns, we voice them as we do with our Pakistani friends.”
‘Pakistan and US are rebuilding bilateral relations’
Earlier in an interview on MSNBC, FM Bilawal said Pakistan-US relations are being reshaped, with an emphasis on creating economic opportunities.
The foreign minister said that relations between Islamabad and Washington are progressing in a positive manner with continuous contacts and bilateral exchanges at the highest level.
He said that nations can establish a sustainable long-term partnership that is in the interest of the people of both countries.
FM Bilawal said that in the past 90% of the talks between the two countries were on terrorism. However, currently, “90% of the talks are on economic cooperation and other areas, including terrorism”.
This is a positive sign for Pakistan-US relations. We cannot change what happened in the past. We can learn from the past and engage with each other with realistic expectations,” the foreign minister said.
On climate change and the recent floods in Pakistan, he said the country has started developing a national adaptation plan to build resilience to climate change.
The foreign minister said that to become a climate resilient country, Pakistan needs to invest in energy transition, which requires international cooperation.
Enumerating the damage caused by the recent floods that wiped out 10 percent of Pakistan’s GDP, he stressed the need for adaptation in such a way that if we face such a disaster in the future, we will. should be in a better position to deal with it.
