China is a crucial economic and political supporter of Pakistan with a $54 billion “economic corridor” that will build infrastructure and provide Beijing access to the Indian Ocean.
US suggests to seek debt relief for Pakistan conditions
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Pakistan on Monday to petition its close partner China for debt forgiveness as floods wreak havoc in South Asia. Blinken promised steadfast US assistance while Pakistan recovers from the floods, which submerged a third of the country, an area the size of the United Kingdom.
We have good communication. Blinken stated, “We are here for Pakistan, just as we were during prior natural disasters, looking forward to rebuilding,” following meetings with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Washington.
Blinken continued, “I also asked our colleagues to engage China on some of the critical concerns of debt reduction and restructuring for Pakistan to recover from the floods more quickly.”
China is an important economic and political partner of Pakistan with a $54 billion “economic corridor” that will create infrastructure and provide Beijing access to the Indian Ocean. Separatists have, however, also targeted Chinese interests. Washington has repeatedly stated that as its Cold War cooperation with Islamabad has deteriorated, China will gain and Pakistan will suffer.
As the United States views China as its principal opponent on the global scene, Pakistan has continuously disregarded its warnings.
There are concerns that such catastrophic disasters as the floods in Pakistan, which have affected more than seven million people and killed 1,600 people, including a third of children, may become more regular as a result of climate change.
The US has also promised long-term assistance in addition to sending 17 planes loaded with supplies and $56 million in humanitarian aid. Bhutto Zardari says that President Joe Biden, who last month signed a big domestic climate measure, should also take into account “climate justice.”
He referred to Biden’s campaign slogan, “Build back better,” and stressed the significance of it.
He stated that we should use the crisis in Pakistan as an opportunity to build better, more environmentally friendly, and climate-resistant structures here at home.
“If we cooperate, I believe we can accomplish this,”
Pakistan is fifth in terms of population, although it only contributes 0.8% of the greenhouse gas emissions linked to global warming. The level of development in Pakistan is the reason behind this.
Afghanistan: Still harbouring mistrust –
The United States’ relations with Pakistan severely deteriorated during the two decades of the Afghan War. The Taliban, who surged back to power last year as US soldiers departed, is believed to have never been abandoned by Islamabad’s powerful military and intelligence infrastructure, according to US sources. Pakistan offered essential logistical access under great strain, but they don’t think it was sufficient.
We’ve had our differences, that’s no secret,” Blinken said.
He did, however, claim that Pakistan and the US “have an interest in Afghanistan’s future,” including increased freedom for women and children, whose rights have once again been severely curtailed by the Taliban under its rigid interpretation of Islam.
Blinken encouraged Pakistan to safeguard freedom of expression and religion, which has long been a source of worry for the US. Attacks on religious minorities and mob violence due to blasphemy have been common in Pakistan.
Shehbaz Sharif’s five-month-old administration has been under fire for restrictions on the media since taking over for Imran Khan, who was ousted following a no-confidence vote in parliament following disputes with the military.
Blinken further exhorted Pakistan to look for a “responsible relationship” with India.
Communication between the long-standing adversaries has ended since India launched airstrikes in response to a deadly attack that was blamed on militants aided by Pakistan in February 2019.
Tuesday, immediately following his meeting with Bhutto Zardari, Blinken will speak with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s foreign minister.
The meeting of South Asian foreign ministers in Washington was not anticipated.
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