Downplaying Pakistan’s refusal to allow him to visit, US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Marc Grossman said on Friday he would wait until the Pakistani parliament and government had reassessed and reevaluated the country’s relationship with the US. Amidst the political crisis in Pakistan, Grossman also said the US supported the civilian government and democracy.
“This is a question for Pakistanis. This is an internal question for them. They have their own ways of going forward and I would not comment any further on internal developments,” he said. “The Pakistan government has sought time to reevaluate its relationship with the US. I respect that. I would be ready for talks when Pakistan is ready,” he told reporters after meeting Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai. “We respect that and what I say is when Pakistan is ready to reengage with dialogue with US we are glad to do so at any time, [at] any point,” he said.
Asked if Pakistan was discussed during his meeting with Mathai, Grossman said the Indian government could speak for itself on Pakistan. “What I would say is that of course we follow issues in Pakistan carefully,” he added. He said the relationship between Pakistan and the US was very important. Grossman also said the US would continue to reinforce its conversation with Pakistan on the situation in Afghanistan and pitched the need for reviving the trilateral dialogue.
