The United States has a deep security partnership with Pakistan including counterterrorism efforts and Pakistan’s decision not to participate in the second Summit for Democracy, hosted by President Jeo Biden, does not change US administration’s willingness to continue to work with Islamabad on a “broad range of issues”, said a State Department spokesperson.
Addressing a news briefing in Washington, State Department Spokesperson Vedant Patel said the US was “certainly sorry that Pakistan chose not to participate” in the three-day event that ended Thursday after discussing topics like strengthening democracy and defending against authoritarianism; addressing and fighting corruption; and promoting respect for human rights.
Patel said this certainly does not change our willingness to continue to work with Pakistan. The US and Pakistan worked 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.”Answering a question regarding rise of Taliban attacks in Pakistan, Patel said there was 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.”
China and Turkiye were excluded, but Taiwan was invited.
When an Indian journalist drew attention to India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s statement about not engaging with Pakistan on the plea that talks and terrorism do not go together, the spokesperson said he would let New Delhi add any additional commentary to his comments.
