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NO CIRCULATION
From: Embassy of Pakistan, Washington
To: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad
Date: March 7, 2022
Sender: Pakistani Ambassador

Part 1

Today, I met Donald Lu, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, over lunch. He was accompanied by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Les Viguerie, while I was joined by Counselor Qasim.
At the outset, Donald Lu referred to Pakistan’s stance on the Ukraine crisis and said:

“People in the US and Europe are concerned about Pakistan’s position. Specifically, Pakistan’s neutrality on the Ukraine issue is not being perceived here as neutral. It feels as though this is Prime Minister Imran Khan’s personal policy.”

He further added that the Prime Minister was attempting to shape public perception amid the current political situation.
I replied that this impression was incorrect. Pakistan’s position was formulated after consultation among various institutions. Pakistan has never raised diplomatic matters in public rallies. The Prime Minister’s statements were a response to the letter from European ambassadors, which violated diplomatic norms.

Part 2

I asked whether the harsh US reaction was related to Pakistan’s vote in the United Nations.
Donald Lu replied:
“No, the real issue is Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Moscow. If the no-confidence motion succeeds, all will be forgiven in Washington, because the visit to Russia is being viewed as the Prime Minister’s personal decision. Otherwise, difficulties for Pakistan could increase.”

He added:
“If Prime Minister Imran Khan remains in power, his isolation in Europe and the United States will increase.”

I explained that the Moscow visit had been scheduled months in advance, and at that time, Russia had not invaded Ukraine.

Part 3

I stated that Pakistan’s position is strictly in the context of bilateral relations and diplomacy, and that Pakistan wishes to maintain contact with all parties.
We also discussed the situation in Afghanistan. I emphasized that Pakistan does not want Afghanistan to be overlooked due to the Ukraine crisis.

Part 4

I informed Donald Lu that there is an impression in Pakistan that the US is not interested in engaging with our leadership.
I said:
“Pakistan requires US support on key issues, including Kashmir; therefore, high-level contacts are essential.”

I also mentioned that if Pakistan’s stance on Ukraine was so critical to the US, we should have been taken into confidence beforehand.
Donald Lu responded that given the current political situation in Pakistan, this was not the appropriate time.

Part 5

I stated that Pakistan does not want countries to be forced to choose sides in the Ukraine crisis.
Donald Lu replied:
“I will convey your position to Washington.”

Later, referring to US-India relations, he noted that the US views its relationship with India through the lens of China, and India’s policy on Ukraine might change over time.

Part 6

I expressed concern that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Russia could affect Pak-US relations.
Donald Lu replied:
“This matter has already created a dent in the relationship. If the political situation changes, perhaps everything will improve quickly; otherwise, we will have to deal with this issue continuously.”

Part 7.

I reiterated our position that countries should not be made to choose sides in a complex situation like the Ukraine crisis and stressed the need for having active bilateral communication channels at the political leadership level. Don replied that “you have conveyed your position clearly and I will take it back to my leadership”.
Part 8.

I also told Don that we had seen his defence of the Indian position on the Ukraine crisis during the recently held Senate Sub-Committee hearing on U.S.-India relations. It seemed that the U.S. was applying different criteria for India and Pakistan. Don responded that the U.S. lawmakers’ strong feelings about India’s abstentions in the UNSC and UNGA came out clearly during the hearing. I said that from the hearing, it appeared that the U.S. expected more from India than Pakistan, yet it appeared to be more concerned about Pakistan’s position. Don was evasive and responded that Washington looked at the U.S.-India relationship very much through the lens of what was happening in China. He added that while India had a close relationship with Moscow, “I think we will actually see a change in India’s policy once all Indian students are out of Ukraine”.

Part 9.

I expressed the hope that the issue of Prime Minister’s visit to Russia will not impact our bilateral ties. Don replied that “I would argue that it has already created a dent in the relationship from our perspective. Let us just wait for a few days to see whether the political situation changes, which would mean that we would not have a big disagreement about this issue and the dent would go away very quickly. Otherwise, we will have to confront this issue head on and decide how to manage it”.
Part 10.

We also discussed Afghanistan and other issues pertaining to bilateral ties. A separate communication follows on that part of our conversation.

Assessment

11. Don could not have conveyed such a strong demarche without the express approval of the White House, to which he referred repeatedly. Clearly, Don spoke out of turn on Pakistan’s internal political process. We need to seriously reflect on this and consider making an appropriate demarche to the U.S. Cd’A a.i in Islamabad.
Important Note: [Faded/Illegible Text]

1. Secretary to the Prime Minister
2. Foreign Secretary
3. Chief of Army Staff
4. DG (ISI), Islamabad
5. Dir (SSP) SSP Section
6. Super Copy