NEW YORK: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Munir Akram, has expressed the hope that the United States, under the leadership of President-elect Joe Biden, would adopt a balanced approach towards India and Pakistan, and help prevent an all-out confrontation that threatens the region.

“We hope that, as in the past, the U.S. would adopt a balanced approach towards both India and Pakistan, an approach that is equitable, that takes into account the national interests of not only India, but also Pakistan,” he said in an interview with Newsweek.

“If that is the case, if there is a balanced policy from Washington towards the continent, I think Washington would find Pakistan a willing partner,” Ambassador Akram added.

“Obviously, Pakistan would like to have better relations with the United States, and we would be looking to find the areas of convergence where we can work together with the U.S.”, he told Newsweek correspondent Tom O’Conner.

Akram called the U.S.-India strategic partnership a “wrong choice,” but added, “nevertheless that’s the U.S. choice.”

Still, he argued that improving ties with Pakistan could prove extremely beneficial for the upcoming administration.