US vows to expand security partnership with Pakistan
WASHINGTON, (NNI): The United States has vowed to expand the security partnership between Washington and Pakistan.
Addressing the press briefing, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that security partnership with Pakistan has been their top priority and will continue to do so.
"We will continue to expand the security partnership between the United States and Pakistan," Spokesperson Miller said, when asked how Washington could help Islamabad fight the banned Tehreek-iTaliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups.
"We have spoken to that a number of times from this podium. It has been a priority for us and will continue to be so," he added.
He disagreed with a journalist who claimed that the United States was keen to condemn the arrest of opposition leaders in India but ignored those in Pakistan.
Miller stated that the US wants to see everyone in Pakistan treated according to the law.
"I would not agree with that characterisation. We have made clear on a number of occasions that we want to see everyone in Pakistan treated consistent with the rule of law, treated with respect for human rights as is our position with any country in the world," he maintained.
When asked about the UN assistance to the Taliban government in Afghanistan, Miller said the US requires its partners' safeguard in place to ensure the assistance reaches those who need it.
The US State Department spokesman further said, "We also require robust monitoring, reporting from partner organizations implementing the assistance programmes including those in unstable and unfriendly environments."
Miller said, "When there is cause for concern related to the delivery of assistance we have plans and protocols in place to respond and we continue to monitor all of our assistance programmes," and seek to mitigate the risk that US assistance could indirectly benefit the Taliban or could be diverted to unintended recipients.
To a question about an Indian intelligence operator's attempt to assassinate a Sikh lawyer in New York, he said:
The spokesperson continued to say regarding India that they want a complete investigation of the murder of the Sikh leader from New Delhi and has also urged India to complete the investigation of the murder of the Sikh leader as soon as possible.
"We have made clear to the government of India that we want to see them conduct a full investigation and we continue to look forward to the results of that investigation," the spokesperson remarked.
The State Department spokesman said, "We also require robust monitoring, reporting from partner organizations implementing the assistance programmes including those in unstable and unfriendly environments."
Earlier, United States (US) President Joe Biden, in his first letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reiterated the US' unwavering commitment to standing alongside Pakistan in confronting the pressing challenges facing the world and the region.
In his first communication with PM Shehbaz after assumption of his office, President Biden conveyed his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the newly elected government of Pakistan, a press release of Prime Minister Office said.
He emphasised the shared vision of prioritizing public health protection, economic development, and education, affirming the commitment to advancing these goals in tandem.
Highlighting the significance of the enduring partnership between the peoples of the United States and Pakistan, President Biden said the partnership was critical to ensuring the security of the world and the people.