The United States has reaffirmed its respect for every nation’s sovereign right to form alliances and associations of its choosing.
In response to a query regarding the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized that the U.S. encourages countries to ensure that their participation in multilateral forums aligns with international law and supports the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of all nations.
Pakistan is hosting the two-day SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in the federal capital, which is set to conclude later today. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will chair the high-level session, for which Pakistan has implemented tight security measures to ensure its smooth conduct.
The event is being attended by prime ministers and senior officials from SCO member countries, including Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and the First Vice President of Iran.
In response to another question about Pakistan’s request to the UN Security Council to investigate the theft and illicit sale of nuclear materials in India, the spokesperson said, “We are aware of Pakistan’s request to the UN Security Council.”
He added, “We remain committed to tracking, developing, and implementing effective policy responses to proliferation threats and will continue working with our partners to shape a secure international environment.”
On October 11, Pakistan called on the United Nations Security Council to thoroughly investigate recurring incidents of theft and illicit sale of nuclear and radioactive materials in India. This followed an Indian media report that three smugglers had been arrested in Bihar’s Gopalganj district with a highly radioactive Californium stone, valued highly on the international market.
