• US State Division spokesperson reacts to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks.
• Pakistan is our strategic companion, says Ned Worth.
• Rahul says Modi’s insurance policies have introduced Pakistan and China nearer.

WASHINGTON: America has responded to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in the Indian parliament, Lok Sabha, that the insurance policies adopted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi have introduced Pakistan and China nearer, The Information reported citing worldwide media.

The US State Division spokesperson Ned Worth categorically refused to “endorse” such a press release on Washington’s behalf and mentioned, “Pakistan is our strategic partner”.

“I’ll let Pakistanis and the PRC (People’s Republic of China) speak for themselves about their relationship. These remarks will certainly not be endorsed by me,” Worth mentioned throughout a daily press briefing.

The US mentioned it values its relationship with Pakistan whereas emphasizing that there was no requirement, so far as Washington was involved, for different international locations to select between the US and China.

“We’ve made the point all along that it is not a requirement for any country around the world to choose between the United States and China,” Spokesman Ned Worth advised reporters when requested if Pakistan and China have change into nearer as a result of “they feel abandoned” by the US.

Rahul, whereas talking in Lok Sabha on the Movement of Thanks on President’s tackle in the course of the ongoing Price range Session of Parliament on Wednesday, had mentioned that the incumbent Indian authorities’s stand on China and Pakistan labored solely to unite the 2 international locations collectively towards India.

“India’s single most important strategic goal has been to keep China and Pakistan apart but what you have done has only brought them together,” Rahul had mentioned, as he accused the Modi-led authorities of committing the largest crime it may commit towards India.

“The foundation of their (China and Pakistan) plan has been put in place in Doklam and Ladakh. This is a serious threat to India. We have made a huge strategic mistake in J&K and our foreign policy,” the Wayanad MP had mentioned.

Shortly after Rahul Gandhi’s speech, Union ministers slammed the previous Congress president. Whereas Exterior Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had mentioned Rahul Gandhi want some ‘historical past classes’, Legislation Minister Kiren Rijiju, sought an apology from the Congress chief.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had referred to as Gandhi a “confused and mindless” chief who is all “praise” for China.