WASHINGTON: The State Department on Wednesday maintained that Pakistan was not being pressured to choose sides between the US and China and that ties with Islamabad were “based on our close people-to-people ties”.
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 had no desire to pick a fight in the growing global rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
“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 independent, strong and prosperous nations. And our relationship is based on respect and a spirit of partnership.”
US welcomes Pak-IMF deal
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.
The State Department official did not deny reports that the US played an important 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 replied, pledging Islamabad’s continued 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 by them in the process.”
