WASHINGTON: The US State Department on Wednesday said Pakistan is not being pressured to pick sides between US and China and that relations with Islamabad “build on our close people-to-people ties”.
State Department spokesperson 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 appetite to pick a fight in the growing global rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
“No, the United States does not ask Pakistan or any other country to choose between the United States and the PRC [People’s Republic of China] or to choose between the United States and any other country,” the spokesperson said.
Miller said that relations with Pakistan are based on close people-to-people ties, and the US will continue to seek ways to expand its partnership and economic ties with the South Asian nation.
“Our economic cooperation with Pakistan reflects our vision for the region as one of — comprised of nations that are independent, strong, and prosperous. And our relationships are based on a spirit of respect and partnership.”
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