Pakistan summons US Ambassador after Biden's demonizing remarks
Pakistan on Saturday summoned the US Ambassador over President Joe Biden's recent provoking remarks in which he demonized the country by describing it as one of the most dangerous nations in the world.
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Relations between the US and Pakistan have been on the decline since the US pulled out its forces from Afghanistan, especially after the US blamed Pakistan for having aided the Taliban in regaining power, something that former Prime Minister Imran Khan harshly condemned.
During the fund party, Biden was speaking about his interactions with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, when he said, "Did anybody think we'd be in a situation where China is trying to figure out its role relative to Russia and relative to India and relative to Pakistan?"
"This is a guy who understands what he wants but has an enormous, enormous array of problems. How do we handle that? How do we handle that relative to what's going on in Russia?"
"And what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion."
Pakistan summoned US Ambassador Donald Blome to the foreign office in Islamabad just hours after the transcript of his address was posted.
During a press conference in Karachi, Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said, "I have discussed it with the prime minister, and we have summoned the ambassador of the United States... for an official demarche."
"I am surprised by the remarks of President Biden. I believe this is exactly the sort of misunderstanding that is created when there is a lack of engagement."
While appearing apologetic of Washington's offensive remarks, Zardari said, "It was not an official function, it was not an address to the nation or an address to the parliament."
"We should allow them an opportunity to explain this position. I don't believe that this should negatively impact the relations between Pakistan and the United States," he added.
China and Pakistan have had a long partnership in trade and commerce, and plans are underway to build a $54 billion "economic corridor" that will build infrastructure and give Beijing an outlet to the Indian Ocean.
Washington has previously warned Pakistan that these projects will leave the country in arrears of debt while China will be the sole benefactor - warnings that Islamabad has repeatedly brushed off.
Earlier this week, Pakistan abstained to vote at the latest UNGA summit to condemn Russia's reunification of four former Ukrainian regions - something which will further strain Pakistan's relations with the US.
