No Biden-Imran call, ‘solidarity’ with China — why Pakistan opted out of US Summit for Democracy

NAYANIMA BASU

The decision sends a ‘strong message’ to the US about Islamabad’s objections to the lack of high-level engagement between the two countries, say experts.

It also said, “We value our partnership with the US, which we wish to expand both bilaterally as well as in terms of regional and international cooperation. We remain in contact with the US on a range of issues and believe that we can engage on this subject at an opportune time in the future.”

“Pakistan will, meanwhile, continue to support all efforts aimed towards strengthening dialogue, constructive engagement, and international cooperation for the advancement of our shared goals,” it added.

While Islamabad didn’t explicitly and officially say it would not participate in the summit, sources in the Pakistan government told ThePrint that a final decision had been taken not to attend.

According to another source, Islamabad is upset with the fact that Beijing has been excluded from the summit, which is seen as setting an affirmative agenda for democratic renewal and to tackle the greatest threats faced by democracies today through collective action. However, it also wants the US to “treat” Pakistan as a democratic country. Pakistan media also reported that the country won’t be attending the Summit due to the fact that its all-weather friend China has not been invited.

https://theprint.in/diplomacy/no-biden-imran-call-solidarity-with-china-why-pakistan-opted-out-of-us-summit-for-democracy/779163/