In a significant diplomatic development, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Friday.
This marked their first in-person meeting, laying the foundation for a renewed push to strengthen Pakistan-US relations across trade, security, investment, and regional peace.
Held at the US State Department, the meeting was attended by senior officials from both countries, including Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh. The engagement followed previous telephonic conversations between the two leaders but was seen as a major step toward building long-term diplomatic momentum.
During the delegation-level talks, the two sides explored a broad range of opportunities — from boosting bilateral trade and investment to enhancing cooperation in technology, agriculture, and mineral development. Dar emphasized Pakistan’s interest in stabilizing and deepening ties with the United States, particularly through consistent economic collaboration.
One of the highlights of the conversation was counter-terrorism cooperation. Secretary Rubio appreciated Pakistan’s sacrifices in the global fight against terrorism, acknowledging its “positive role in promoting global and regional peace.” Dar, in return, reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to international peace efforts and specifically praised the past efforts of President Donald Trump for defusing tensions between Pakistan and India.
Dar also encouraged American companies to explore Pakistan’s growing sectors, calling it a “promising destination for US investors.” He pointed to emerging opportunities in energy, agriculture, minerals, and technology as key areas where both nations could benefit.
There was mutual agreement that the Pakistani-American community plays a crucial role in bridging the relationship and contributing to shared goals. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building resilient, system-based ties through continued diplomatic engagement and sectoral collaboration.
