A barely-noticed comment by President Joe Biden at a fundraising event describing Pakistan as one of the most dangerous countries in the world triggered a diplomatic spat on Saturday, when the nation’s foreign minister summoned the U.S. ambassador for a dressing down. …

As he discussed threats facing the U.S., Biden described Pakistan as one of the most dangerous countries in the world, adding that it had ‘nuclear weapons without any cohesion.’

The event was not public. And the mention was buried in a pool report sent to journalists who cover the White House. It initially made few waves outside the foreign policy world. …

At a press conference on Saturday, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said he was surprised and that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal was secure.

‘As far as the question of the safety and security of Pakistan’s nuclear assets are concerned, we meet all – each and every – international standard in accordance with the IAEA,” he said, referring to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which monitors safety.