WASHINGTON: The United States has reiterated its support to Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, saying the latter will continue to be a “stalwart partner” in the face of recent terrorist attacks.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price made this statement on Monday in response to a query at a press briefing.

Commenting on the renewed wave of terrorism in Pakistan, Ned Price said: “This is a scourge that affects Pakistan, it affects India, it affects Afghanistan. It is something that we’re focused on throughout the entire region.”

When it comes to Pakistan, he said: “They are an important partner of the US, and a partner in any number of ways.”

Offers support to India’s G20 presidency on food, energy, other issues

“We’ve talked in recent days about our commitment to stand with Pakistan in the face of these security threats,” the spokesperson underlined.

G20 presidency

The United States will support India’s G20 presidency, including on issues such as food and energy security, the US embassy in New Delhi said on Tuesday.

The G20 presidency has attracted particular interest given India’s close ties with both the United States and Russia, from which it has significantly increased imports of oil since the war in Ukraine began nearly a year ago.

Officials from the United States, Europe and China are expected to head to India later this month and early next for meetings of finance and foreign ministers.

The summit of heads of government is scheduled for September.

“We support India on a range of issues, including addressing current food and energy security challenges

and continuing our efforts to build a resilient global economy,” a spokesperson for the US embassy in India said in a statement.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2023