The Pakistani prime minister is wary of a closer relationship between the United States and India, and he has urged the United States not to force his country to make decisions that would put Pakistan’s interests at
Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s minister of defence, has declared that his country has no problem with the alliance between the United States and India “so long as it does not come at the expense of Pakistan.”
In an interview with Newsweek, the minister stressed the value of cordial ties with regional allies like India, especially in light of the Kashmir dispute.
Asif claims that Pakistan is actively seeking to improve relations with its regional neighbours and ally states. Pakistan acknowledges the need to develop relations with its neighbours China, Afghanistan, Iran, and India without jeopardising security.
He stressed the need of regional stability, saying it was essential for Pakistan’s economy to recover to its prewar levels. Efforts to ensure stability and collaboration among neighbouring nations are necessary to facilitate economic growth in Pakistan, he stressed.
The defence minister said that Pakistan’s economy is precarious since it is so reliant on the country’s strategic location. While Pakistan benefits in many ways from its geographical position, the country is also vulnerable to some threats because of it.
Asif pleaded with Washington to have compassion for Pakistan and warned against pressuring the country into making decisions that would be counterproductive.
Asif went on to emphasise how important Pakistan thinks its relationship with the United States is. He stated that the bilateral partnership must thrive despite previous setbacks.
He emphasised the economic interests and business prospects that exist between the two countries by mentioning the huge commerce between them and the large Pakistani diaspora living in the US.
These remarks from the military minister are particularly timely given the upcoming visits to both Beijing and Washington by US State Secretary Antony Blinken and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, respectively, on June 18 and 19. The significance of US-India relations in the world at the moment is highlighted. The administration of Vice President Joe Biden has made it a top priority to improve relations with India in order to offset China’s rising power. The Obama administration also hopes to get India to buy American military drones.
