By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a phone call on Friday, marking a thaw in relations with discussions on a “robust partnership,” the US embassy in Islamabad said.
The talks come amid a gradual warming of ties that cooled due to disagreements over Pakistan’s alleged support for the Taliban in Afghanistan, which Islamabad denies.
Under the previous government of Imran Khan, relations had soured further, with Khan welcoming the Taliban’s rise in 2021 and accusing the US of plotting his ouster, a charge Washington dismissed.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his second term, has pledged to rebuild ties, though experts believe the US will focus mainly on security cooperation.
“Secretary Blinken reaffirmed our commitment to a robust partnership between the United States and Pakistan that advances the prosperity of both nations,” he embassy statement read.
“Secretary Blinken stressed the importance of continued cooperation on counterterrorism, expanding our trade and investment partnership, and advancing women’s economic security and empowerment.”
Pakistan seeks to broaden its relationship with the U.S. beyond security, aiming to boost bilateral trade, currently valued at about $12 billion, and attract more American investment, particularly in food, IT, and pharmaceuticals.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said both sides reiterated their dedication to strengthening bilateral cooperation across all spheres of mutual interest.
“A wide range of bilateral issues, including enhancing trade and investment relations, climate change, agriculture and security, were discussed in the call.”
The FO said that various matters of regional importance such as the situation in Gaza, the Red Sea and developments in Afghanistan also came under discussion.
Minister Dar said that he was looking forward to continued collaboration between the two countries.
In a post on X, he said that Blinken discussed key bilateral issues and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to work together.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Sharif have recently exchanged letters, emphasizing the “enduring partnership” vital for global security, with Sharif expressing willingness to work with the U.S. on shared goals.
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