Patel expressed sorrow over Pakistan’s choice not to attend the democracy summit during a news conference. Pakistan is “a sovereign state” and “can make decisions for itself,” he pointed out.
Adding that the US and Pakistan have a “essential security alliance,” he stated that the two countries collaborate on a wide range of subjects and that Washington will continue to speak with Pakistan about matters pertaining to democracy and human rights.
Senior Deputy Spokesman for the US State Department Vedant Patel said on Thursday that Washington’s desire to continue cooperating with Islamabad is unaffected by Pakistan’s decision to skip this week’s second “Summit for Democracy,” which is being hosted by US President Joe Biden.