'Pakistan's ties with China not a zero-sum game'

Islamabad's ties with Beijing and its efforts to forge closer relations with Moscow will not have an adverse effect on its partnership with Washington, Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry has said.

In his first interaction with the media on Friday, the new envoy said Pakistan's decision to reach out to other nations in the region and its "close historic relations with China should not be seen as a zero-sum game for any country".

Chaudhry said Islamabad wanted close ties with the Trump administration as both nations shared mutual goal of defeating Islamic State militant group, Dawn online reported.

He said Pakistan's strategic role acted as "a bridge" between the US and China.

The creation of Pakistan-China economic zone was already attracting investment interest from the US and Europe, he said.

The ambassador said Pakistan's overtures towards Russia were aimed at preserving Islamabad's regional interests.

--IANS

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