ISLAMABAD, Nov 1: The American Embassy in Islamabad hastened to counter the notion created by an observation made by a senior US defence official this week that in the long-term perspective India was more important for Washington than Pakistan.

In a press release issued here on Thursday, the US embassy made it clear that Washington did not grade countries in terms of their importance.

“The United States does not “rank” one country as more or less important than another in any framework of strategic interests. Our relationships with each state are based on US national interests in relation to that state,” it noted.

The embassy reiterated that the US-Pakistan relationship was a long-term, broad-based partnership, based on factors such as strong trade and investment, security interests, and long-standing cultural and educational ties.

Even on Wednesday the US Embassy appeared compelled to issue a press release aimed at what was seen as ‘damage control’. It was to dispel the impression conveyed through a news report in the US media that “there is frustration and a lack of cooperation in joint Pakistan-US efforts” in the ongoing war against terrorism.

Clarifying the perception about ‘irritants’ in the ongoing joint efforts the embassy stated: “In fact, Pakistan and the United States remain close allies. Pakistani forces have given their lives in the fight against terrorist networks, which is a fight that is as important for Pakistan and the United States as it is for every country in the world.”—QA