WASHINGTON: The US has said that its suspension of security aid to Pakistanwould bring Islamabad closer to China and insisted that the tworelationships are different, PTI has reported.
“I believe they (Pakistan) do want to build strong relations with bothcountries. But what they get from China is not necessarily going to be thesame thing to get from the US and vice versa,” a state department officialtold reporters.
“We (US) don’t have the capacity to direct state banks and state companiesto invest USD 55 billion dollars in Pakistan. But at the same time Chinadoes not have the capacity to provide the highest quality militaryequipment in the world,” the official said.
The official was responding to question that the latest American move wouldpush Pakistan towards China.
“We have no problem with Pakistan and China’s relationship. China hasinvested a significant amount and plans to invest significant amount more,”the official said.
“Pakistan is in need of economic development and economic growth. In so faras China’s able to contribute to that that will contribute to Pakistan’sstability and security and economic well-being. And that’s perfectly.That’s totally fine. That’s a good thing,” the official said.
Noting that Pakistan and China have had a longstanding and very strongrelationship, the official asserted that that relationship has never comeat the expense of US-Pak ties.
“I think Pakistan clearly understands that our relationship and what webring to the table internationally is different than China.
And they shouldn’t want to choose between China and the United States andthey do want to build strong relations with both countries,” the statedepartment official said.