WASHINGTON, Friday, July 25, 2025 (WNP): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its ties with the United States, emphasizing a shared vision for expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and regional peace.
Dar made the remarks during a high-level meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington — the first in-person interaction between the two leaders following previous telephonic engagements. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.S. Rizwan Saeed Sheikh accompanied the deputy prime minister, while senior officials from both sides participated in delegation-level talks.
Upon his arrival, Dar was warmly received by U.S. officials at the State Department, reflecting the mutual desire to reinvigorate long-standing diplomatic relations between the two countries.
During the meeting, the two sides held in-depth discussions on a broad range of bilateral and regional issues, including economic cooperation, counter-terrorism, digital technology, agriculture, minerals, and efforts to promote regional stability.
Dar expressed optimism over the progress in the ongoing Pak-U.S. trade dialogue, describing Pakistan as an increasingly attractive destination for American investors. He underscored Pakistan’s investor-friendly climate and the pivotal role of the Pakistani diaspora in the U.S. as a bridge between the two nations.
He also acknowledged the constructive efforts of former U.S. President Donald Trump, praising his role during recent Pakistan-India tensions. “President Trump’s contribution toward easing regional tensions was commendable,” he stated.
Secretary Marco Rubio, in turn, recognized Pakistan’s immense sacrifices in the global fight against terrorism and appreciated its continued commitment to regional and global peace. He acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate stability across South Asia and reiterated Washington’s readiness to broaden its partnership with Islamabad in key strategic sectors.
Both leaders agreed to maintain close coordination at multilateral forums, including the United Nations Security Council, and reaffirmed their resolve to foster a long-term, comprehensive partnership based on mutual respect and shared interests.
In a post on social media platform X following the meeting, Dar wrote:
“Pleased to meet Secretary Marco Rubio for a comprehensive discussion on the full spectrum of bilateral relations. We reaffirmed our commitment to the long-term Pakistan-U.S. partnership, with renewed focus on economic, trade, investment, IT/AI, and CT cooperation.”
“We also exchanged views on key regional and global developments. I appreciated the U.S. constructive role in facilitating the recent Pakistan-India ceasefire. With continued dialogue and mutual respect, I am confident we can build a more stable, prosperous, and mutually beneficial future for both our nations.”
The high-level engagement marks a significant step toward revitalizing Pakistan-U.S. relations, with both sides pledging sustained dialogue and cooperation in the months ahead.
