The United States has faith in Pakistan’s resolve and capability to protect its nuclear assets, US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel has said.
Denying concerns sparked by President Biden’s unexpected statement on the nuclear programme of Pakistan, State Department officials made the statement after a meeting between the Pakistani Ambassador Masood Khan and US Counselor Derek Chollet.
Chollet stated in his tweet that he had met Ambassador Khan, adding that discussion was held on longstanding partnership and to further grow the ties between Pakistan and the US in many areas including health, agriculture, education, entrepreneurship, energy and more for the benefit of the people and region.
Chollet is a senior advisor to Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state. His tweet regarding the meeting has come just days after the US ambassador to Pakistan was summoned to the Foreign Office after US president’s remarks about Pakistan’s nuclear program.
Pakistani Ambassador Masood Khan also acknowledged the meeting. In a tweet, Masood Khan thanked Chollet for their constructive role and stated that he had spoken with him about measures to strengthen Pakistan-US ties and increase strategic trust between the two nations.
Khan further stated that people-to-people exchanges and effective communication along with bilateral relations will continue to be fortified through high-level visits.
US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel was also asked the question for clarification of doubts that were created by the statement of the US president. Patel said that the US had always viewed secure and prosperous Pakistan as critical to US interests.
President Biden had stated at a fundraiser, “What I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world, Pakistan; nuclear weapons without any cohesion.”
