WASHINGTON: The United States, while feeling sorry for Pakistan for not attending Summit for Democracy event, said it is a sovereign state and it is one that can make decisions for itself.
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Principal Deputy Spokesperson at US Vedant Patel speaking at a press briefing said “this certainly does not change our willingness to continue to work with Pakistan. The U.S. and the Pakistan work together on a broad range of issues, and we continue to engage with them on issues surrounding democracy, human rights, including freedom of religion, belief, as well as there’s an important security partnership as well.”
When asked to comment about recent TTP-led terror attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and any offer of help by US in counter-terrorism field, Vedant Patel said “I don’t have any specifics to offer, but of course there is a deep security partnership with Pakistan, including counterterrorism efforts. I saw those same reports of the recent attacks and would offer condolences to those who were impacted.”
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The Principal Deputy Spokesperson, when asked to comment about statement by Dr. Jaishankar, foreign minister of India, that “talks and terrorism cannot continue together. It has to be just talks, but Pakistan have to stop terrorizing India in any or all manners,” said “the U.S. values its important relationship with both our Indian partners and Pakistan as well, and these relationships stand on their own and are not a zero-sum proposition.”
