Islamabad:
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ishaq Dar, told the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, that Pakistan sought a bilateral relationship “expanded and stable” with Washington, highlighting “strong convergences” between the two parties on several issues.
Giving held conversations with Rubio in Washington at a first face -to -face meeting between the two main diplomats in the State Department after their various telephone conversations.
This was the first formal meeting at the level of foreign ministers between Pakistan and the United States after several years, since the previous administration under President Joe Biden completely ignored Islamabad.
The meeting between Dar and Rubio came in the context of renewed thrust by the two parties to restore their ties often fogged by distrust. However, contrary to all expectations, under the second mandate of President Trump, the relationship between the two countries led a positive beginning.
It was Pakistan’s help to stop and extradite one of the intellectual authors of the Kabul Airport attack in August 2021 that led to reset in ties with the United States. President Trump publicly praised Pakistan’s efforts in his first speech before the United States Congress.
The conflict of India-Pakistan approached the two countries, since Trump was repeatedly attributed the credit for the high fire between the two rivals of southern Asia.
Then, in the middle of the Iran-Israel War, President Trump received the Marshal Syed also in the White House in an unprecedented movement that raised his eyebrows in New Delhi.
After the lunch meeting of the Army Chief in the White House, there has been an increase in contacts between the two countries. The meeting in Washington on Friday was seen as the impulse of Pakistan to relive the structured mechanism between the two countries.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said when they arrived at the State Department, DAR was received by senior US officials. Pakistan ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, accompanied him during the visit. High officials on both sides also joined the conversations at the delegation level.
The discussions focused on bilateral relations and the prospects for cooperation in multiple sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, technology and minerals. Both parties reviewed the progress in the commercial dialogue of Pakistan-United States in progress, expressing optimism about positive developments. GAR highlighted Pakistan as an attractive destination for US companies and investors.
On regional security, leaders discussed the broader anti -terrorism cooperation and the broader peace efforts. He praised President Donald Trump and the leadership of the United States for his efforts to promote global peace, particularly appreciating the role of the president in the midst of the recent tensions of Pakistan-India.
Secretary Rubio recognized the sacrifices of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and appreciated his positive role in promoting regional and global peace.
Later in his message about X, the United States Secretary of State said: “He met with the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistani, Ishaq today to discuss the bilateral trade of expansion and improve collaboration in the critical mineral sector. I also thanked him for the Pakistan association to counteract terrorism and preserve regional stability.”
Give reaffirmed the desire of Pakistan of expanded and stable bilateral relations, which stresses that there is a strong convergence of points of view and interest shared between the two countries on regional peace and stability. He also appreciated the role of the American Pakistani community as a “bridge” between the two nations.
Both leaders reiterated their commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties and improve institutional cooperation in various sectors, expressing the determination to work together for long -term stability and prosperity.
