Washington (TDI): The United States has reiterated its respect for the sovereign right of every nation to form alliances and associations of its choosing, a statement that comes as Pakistan hosts the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Islamabad.
Addressing a press briefing, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized that the US encourages all nations to ensure their participation in multilateral forums aligns with international law and principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of states.
“We respect the sovereign choices of nations to enter into alliances and associations,” Miller remarked when questioned about the high-level SCO meeting in Pakistan’s capital.
He further stressed that the US continues to encourage such participation to be consistent with international norms.
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Pakistan is hosting a two-day session of the Council of Heads of Government of the SCO, which concludes later today.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is chairing the high-profile gathering, which sees participation from heads of government and senior officials from SCO member states, including Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran.
Nuclear Material Theft in India
Regarding a separate query about Pakistan’s recent call for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to investigate incidents of nuclear material theft in India, Miller acknowledged awareness of Pakistan’s request.
“We are aware of Pakistan’s request to the UN Security Council,” he said, adding that the US remains committed to addressing proliferation threats through effective policy measures and close cooperation with international partners.
Pakistan had urged the UNSC on October 11 to launch a thorough investigation into recurring incidents of theft and the illicit sale of nuclear and radioactive materials in India.
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The call came after an Indian media report revealed the arrest of three individuals in Bihar’s Gopalganj district for possessing a rare and highly radioactive Californium stone.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Munir Akram, raised the issue during a meeting of the Security Council’s committee established under Resolution 1540, which mandates member states to take preventive steps against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Akram underscored that the UNSC should be “deeply concerned” about these recurring incidents in India.
