Islamabad: A leaked diplomatic cable from 2022 has brought renewed attention to differences between Pakistan and the United States on issues related to Kashmir, India and the Ukraine conflict. According to a report by Moneycontrol, the document contains remarks made during a meeting between former Pakistan ambassador to the US Asad Majeed Khan and US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu.
The classified cable reportedly states that Pakistan expressed dissatisfaction with Washington’s expectations from Islamabad while not extending similar support on matters concerning Kashmir. As quoted in the document, Asad Majeed Khan told the US official that Washington sought Pakistan’s cooperation on several international matters but did not support Islamabad on issues like Kashmir. India has consistently maintained that Kashmir is an integral part of the country and opposes any third-party involvement in the matter.
The report further suggests that Pakistan raised concerns about what it viewed as unequal treatment by the United States regarding India and Pakistan’s positions on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to the cable, Pakistani officials believed Washington defended India’s stance more softly while taking a stricter view of Pakistan’s policies.
The document also reportedly highlighted how US officials viewed India through the broader framework of strategic competition with China. It mentioned Donald Lu’s remarks about India’s ties with Russia and the possibility of changes in New Delhi’s position after Indian students evacuated Ukraine during the war.
As reported by Moneycontrol, the cable is identified as “Cypher No. I-0678” documented a March 7, 2022 meeting between Khan and Lu. The document was first published by The Intercept in 2023 and has now been released again in full by Drop Site News as part of reports examining US-Pakistan relations following political developments in Islamabad.
Also Read: Delhi Taxi Union Declares 3-day Strike
