By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call Monday, their second in recent weeks, signaling a strengthening of ties between Washington and Islamabad.
The discussion, which focused on bilateral cooperation and regional issues, follows a trade deal signed last week that reduces U.S. tariffs on Pakistani goods to 19 percent and opened the door to collaboration on Pakistan’s oil reserves.
“The two leaders discussed a range of bilateral matters and exchanged views on current regional and international issues,” the Foreign Office stated on X. “Both sides agreed to remain in contact and continue cooperation on areas of mutual interest.”
The warming of US-Pakistan relations reverses years of strain, with a noticeable shift since President Donald Trump’s inauguration. The administration has praised Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts, including the arrest of an Islamic State-Khorasan operative, and claimed credit for averting a nuclear war in South Asia. President Trump has frequently highlighted Pakistan in public statements, a shift from the chill of previous years.
The trade agreement, finalised last week, anchors this renewed partnership. Pakistani Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and US trade officials negotiated terms to boost trade and investment, leveraging Pakistan’s oil reserves. Officials said the deal aims to expand market access and deepen economic ties.
Trump hailed the agreement on social media. “We have just concluded a Deal with the Country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive Oil Reserves. We are in the process of choosing the Oil Company that will lead this Partnership. Who knows, maybe they’ll be selling Oil to India some day!” US goods trade with Pakistan reached $7.3 billion in 2024, up from $6.9 billion in 2023, though the US trade deficit widened to $3 billion.
The diplomatic momentum stems from Dar’s meeting with Rubio last month, the first between the nations’ top diplomats in three years. Hailed as a breakthrough, the talks covered trade, investment, counterterrorism, and the India-Pakistan clash in May. Rubio acknowledged Pakistan’s “unparalleled sacrifices” in combating terrorism and called Islamabad a “constructive actor” in regional stability efforts. The two followed up with a call on July 28 to discuss tariffs and other pressing matters.
Recent high-level engagements reinforce the shift. Trump hosted Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House last month, a gesture that reinforced the improving ties. Dar, in turn, praised Trump’s role in easing tensions between Pakistan and India, calling his efforts “commendable” and emphasizing Pakistan’s desire for deeper, more stable relations with the US.
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