In perhaps the most forthright censure, US Vice President Joe Biden labeled Pakistan “one of the most dangerous governments in the world,” with “nuclear weapons devoid of coherence.”
The US President made these remarks at a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Reception in Los Angeles (California), during which he blasted both China and Russia.
Biden made the remarks on Pakistan while speaking about the United States’ foreign strategy toward China and Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Biden concluded by declaring that Pakistan is the world’s most dangerous country.
“This is a man (Xi Jinping) who understands what he wants but is plagued by a slew of problems. How do we handle this? How should we respond in light of what is happening in Russia? Pakistan, which I consider to be one of the world’s most hazardous countries. Nuclear weapons with a lack of coherence “, a White House press release cited Biden’s remarks at the Democratic Party meeting.
Biden’s remarks could be regarded as a setback for Shehbaz Sharif’s government’s efforts to repair ties with the US. Biden noted during the occasion that the United States has tremendous opportunities to shift the dynamic in the second quarter of the twenty-first century.
These remarks were made barely two days after the United States’ National Security Strategy was unveiled. The 48-page book makes no mention of Pakistan.
On Wednesday, the Biden administration issued a critical policy statement sought by Congress, highlighting the threat posed by both China and Russia. China and Russia, who declared a “no-limits partnership” earlier this year, are more aligned with each other, according to the National Security Strategy, but the dangers they pose are distinct.
“We will prioritize maintaining a long-term competitive edge over the People’s Republic of China while constraining a still profoundly dangerous Russia,” the statement reads. According to the policy declaration, competition with China is most visible in the Indo-Pacific, but it is spreading globally.
According to the US Security Strategy, the next ten years will be a pivotal period in the US-China conflict. Moscow’s “imperialist foreign strategy” culminated in “a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in an attempt to remove its government and bring it under Russian control,” according to the letter.
F-16 maintenance program
It’s worth remembering that Biden’s remark occurred around three weeks after the United States and Pakistan agreed to sell their F-16 fleet. On September 26, US State Secretary Antony Blinken indicated that it was Washington’s responsibility and commitment to assist in the distribution of military supplies “to whoever” was in need of them for military sustenance.
“To be clear, this is a long-running Pakistani F-16 maintenance program. They already have a few old aircraft and systems. We have a responsibility and an obligation to maintain and preserve military equipment for those to whom we provide it. Pakistan’s initiative improves its capabilities to combat terrorism and terrorist threats emanating from the country or the region “As mentioned by Blinken.
It should be recalled that Blinken was questioned about the F-16 contract with Pakistan after Indian Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised concerns about the pact’s ulterior motive.
Jaishankar had raised reservations about the benefits of bilateral US-Pakistan relations, saying, “…To be honest, it hasn’t served either Pakistan’s or America’s interests effectively. As a result, it is now up to the US to examine the benefits of this connection (US-Pakistan connections) and what they gain from it.”
After Jaishankar approached the US-Pakistan F-16 contract, Pakistan was quick to justify it. “In response to media questions about unjustifiable remarks by India’s External Affairs Minister, the spokesperson stressed that Pakistan has a longstanding and broad-based relationship with the United States,” Islamabad stated in a statement.
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