DAR LOOKINGS ‘STABLE Relationship’ with us in the meeting with Rubio

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told US State Secretary Marco Rubio that Pakistan was seeking an “expanded and stable” bilateral relationship with Washington and highlighting the “strong convergencies” between the two sides on several questions.

Dar held talks with Rubio in Washington in their first face to face meeting at the Ministry of State after several telephone conversations.

A statement from the Foreign Office said that, upon his arrival at the state department, Dar was received by senior US officials. Pakistan’s ambassador to USA Rizwan Saeed Sheikh accompanied him during the visit. Senior officials from both sides also joined the delegation level conversations.

The discussions focused on bilateral connections and prospects of collaboration across several sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, technology and minerals.

Both sides underwent the progress of the ongoing trade dialogue in Pakistan-US and expressed optimism over positive developments. Dar highlighted Pakistan as an attractive destination for US companies and investors.

About regional security, leaders discussed terrorism and wider peace efforts. Dar praised President Donald Trump and US leadership for their efforts to promote global peace, especially appreciating the president’s role in the midst of recent Pakistan-India tensions.

Secretary Rubio recognized Pakistan’s victims in the fight against terrorism and appreciated its positive role in promoting regional and global peace.

Dar confirmed Pakistan’s desire for extended and stable bilateral connections and emphasized that there is a strong convergence of views and common interests between the two countries of regional peace and stability. He also appreciated the role of Pakistani-American society as a “bridge” between the two nations.

Both leaders repeated their obligation to further strengthen bilateral ties and improve institutional cooperation in various sectors and expressed determination to work together on long -term stability and prosperity.

This marked the first formal meeting at the Foreign Minister level between Pakistan and the United States in several years, as former administration under President Joe Biden had largely ignored Islamabad.

The meeting between Dar and Rubio came on the basis of a renewed push from both sides to reset their ties, which have often been destroyed by mistrust. Contrary to expectations, during President Trump’s second period, relations between the two countries took a positive reversal.

It was Pakistan’s help in arresting and extraditing one of Masterminds in Kabul Airport attacks in August 2021 that led to the ribbon to the United States. President Trump praised publicly Pakistan’s efforts at his first address to the US Congress.

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The India-Pakistan conflict also brought closer to the two countries as Trump repeatedly took credit for mediating the ceasefire between the two South Asian rivals.

Then, in the midst of the Iran-Israel war, President Trump hosted the army staff (Coas) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in the White House in an unprecedented move raising eyebrows in New Delhi.

After the Army Chief Meeting in the White House, there have been increased contacts between the two countries. The Washington meeting on Friday was seen as Pakistan’s push to revive the structured mechanism between the two countries.