ISLAMABAD – Dr. Moeed Yusuf, Pakistan’s national security advisor, stated on Wednesday that the country’s economic bases are open to the whole globe.
In an interview with BBC’s Hard Talk host Stephen Sackur, he answered to a variety of questions about the Pakistan-US Economic Corridor and other problems.
He went on to declare that no Chinese military bases exist in Gwader. He stated that China has economic bases in the city. Moeed stated that nations such as the United States, Russia, and the Middle East were also approached about establishing economic bases.
Moeed stated that Pakistan supports relations with the United States.
In an interview with BBC Hard Talk, the SAPM stated that China has a long-standing strategic partnership with the United States and would continue to do so.
He stated that the US government is in contact with Pakistan, and that “the people of Kashmir are our people.” Pakistan has long stated that “there is no military solution for Afghanistan.”
Earlier, in an interview with an American station,” he stated that “US-Pakistan ties have improved over the last several years as a result of the commencement of a peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.”
However, he had stated that “with U.S. forces going down,” the future of U.S. ties with Pakistan—which have traditionally been regarded through the prism of Afghanistan in Washington—is questionable.
This talk was with Dr. Moeed Yusuf, Pakistan’s national security advisor and special assistant to the prime minister, about national security and strategic policy planning. He outlined Islamabad’s aspirations for US-Pakistan ties in the Joe Biden era” and what the situation in Afghanistan may entail for the relationship moving ahead.
Quotes Chosen
“The first topic we’d want to discuss is investment partnerships.” In Washington, the discussion about CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) is not always positive—how about an American reprocessing zone? How about American corporations coming in and “spending money” in reprocessing for export and shipping to wherever they want? “How about doing things economically where Pakistan, the United States, and China can all invest together?”
“Could we consider areas of diplomatic cooperation?” Afghanistan is a no-brainer; we all know that. It would be unfortunate, though, if the dialogue next week began with Afghanistan and that is the only one we have.”
“U.S.-China—many people say” well, Pakistan is in one camp or the other—let me just state very clearly” we are not in inter-camp politics.” It’s not for this or that reason—it just doesn’t work for us. It makes no sense for us to declare, “I’m with one but not the other.” Neither the Chinese, nor the United States, have ever asked us that, since, ultimately, Pakistan is one of the very few nations that can assist the United States and China in areas where they do converge and wish to work together.” [16:30-17:18]
“The aim is really straightforward for us. We are willing to help assist peace in Afghanistan, and we do not want any bloodshed or terrorism in our region. But we cannot have a system in which Pakistan is viewed as the possible answer to all issues, and when the solution does not materialise, Pakistan is viewed as the source of all evils. That’s the old discourse we need to break away from if we want a true partnership that is broader and can benefit both sides.”
