US affirms respect for countries' alliance choices at SCO summit in Pakistan

The United States has affirmed its respect for each country's right to form its own alliances. This statement came during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad, where the US emphasized the importance of upholding international law and national sovereignty. The SCO summit, hosted by Pakistan, includes leaders from member states such as Russia, Kazakhstan, and Iran. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is presiding over the two-day meeting, which aims to ensure smooth proceedings. In related news, Pakistan has requested the UN Security Council to investigate incidents of nuclear material theft in India. This follows reports of arrests related to the illegal sale of radioactive materials, raising concerns about proliferation threats.