New Delhi/Islamabad, Sep 3 : Cornered and subjected to some pressure tactics from the United States after Washington decided to scrap $ 300 million aid, Pakistan is now keen to give a message to the world community including India and will be thus hosting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for a three-day visit.
Shortly after the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to Pakistan – before the US top functionary arrives India for the crucial ‘2 Plus 2 Dialogue’, the Chinese Foreign Minister is likely to be in Islamabad from September 7.
“Recent global and regional developments, including India’s intensifying military alliance with the US to contain China, has created a compulsion for Pakistan and China to further intensify their military and economic partnership,” says Pakistan’s ‘Dawn’ newspaper.
Another paper ‘The Nation’ quoted unnamed Pakistani officials saying: “We have no trust issues with China. We can discuss anything. China has supported us through thick and thin. If the talks with Pompeo are not too positive, we have the options of China and Russia. Chinese FM’s visit is meaningful due to its timing”.
The US announced suspension of $300 million towards Coalition Support Funds for Pakistan citing that Islamabad has not done enough to fight terror.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said – “The $300 million is neither aid nor assistance – it is the money Pakistan spent from its resources against militants and in the war against terrorism. This is the money they (US) are supposed to reimburse, but now either they are not willing or unable to pay back”.
Mushahid Husain, Head of Foreign Affairs Committee in the Pakistani Senate, is also annoyed and dubbed the US decision as a “sop to India”.
Pentagon had earlier this year cancelled off $500 million towards Pakistan for not cracking the whip against terror outfits.
“Russia’s strategic alignment with China and India’s growing alliance with the US have opened avenues for comprehensive cooperation between Pakistan and Russia,” said the report in the ‘Dawn’ newspaper.
UNI
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