WASHINGTON, October 16,2024: The United States (US) has reiterated its respect for every country’s sovereign right to form alliances and associations of its own choosing.
In response to questions about the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the US encourages all nations to attend in multilateral conference aligns with international law.
He said that US respects the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of all countries.
Pakistan is hosting a two-day meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Islamabad, with the summit set to conclude this evening.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is presiding over the high-level gathering, which has been meticulously organized to ensure smooth proceedings.
The summit is being attended by prime ministers and senior officials from SCO member states, including Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and the First Vice President of Iran.
In response to another question about Pakistan’s recent demand for the UN Security Council to investigate the theft and illicit sale of nuclear materials in India, Miller acknowledged the request and reiterated the US commitment to addressing proliferation threats.
He emphasized that the US is dedicated to developing and implementing effective policy responses to such security concerns and will continue working with international partners to shape a secure global environment.