The Biden administration has upheld former President Donald Trump's policy of suspending security assistance to Pakistan, the Pentagon said on Monday. The decision came at a time when Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Meanwhile, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also met his Pakistani counterpart in Geneva.
Former US President Donald Trump suspended all security assistance to Pakistan in January 2018, alleging not satisfied with Pakistan's role in the fight against terrorism. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said in a press conference said, "At this time, the US security assistance to Pakistan still suspended. I will not get into speculating one way or another about if or whether that will change going forward."
Kirby was asked whether President Joe Biden's administration reviewed the policy of the former Trump administration on the subject. Whether any changes made in this or the issue discussed with the Pakistani leadership?
In response, Kirby said that earlier Defense Minister Lloyd Austin spoke to Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa and discussed common interests and goals with him. He said, "During the call, the secretary reiterated his appreciation for Pakistan's support to the Afghanistan peace negotiations. He expressed his desire to continue to build on the United States-Pakistan bilateral relationship."
A day earlier, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met his Pakistani counterpart Moeed Yusuf in Geneva. National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said, "The two sides discussed a range of bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. Both discussed ways to advance practical cooperation. They agreed to continue with the conversation". In the first high-level meeting, Pakistan and the US NSA s spoke on a wide range of issues. A joint statement issued by Yusuf's office in Islamabad said, "There was positive talk on a number of regional. Bilateral and global issues of common interest between the two sides. They also agreed to increase practical cooperation on these issues."
