Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, met with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington to discuss a broad agenda encompassing bilateral relations, trade cooperation, regional security, counterterrorism, and global peace initiatives.

According to sources accessed by CNN-News18, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of close Pakistan-US cooperation to maintain peace and stability in South Asia. Rubio expressed Washington’s interest in expanding bilateral trade, particularly emphasizing collaboration in the critical minerals sector.

The Pakistani delegation highlighted opportunities to strengthen economic ties with the US in sectors such as information technology, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrencies, and minerals, engaging both government and private entities.

A key point raised by Ishaq Dar was his appreciation of the pivotal role played by former US President Donald Trump and Secretary Rubio in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. He credited their diplomatic efforts with facilitating a ceasefire agreement that prevented broader conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

However, the Indian government has consistently maintained that the ceasefire understanding was reached bilaterally between Indian and Pakistani military leaderships, without third-party involvement.

The discussion also touched upon the long-standing Kashmir issue, which Dar described as the core dispute between India and Pakistan. He urged a resolution based on United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. India, meanwhile, continues to assert Kashmir as an internal matter and rejects attempts to internationalize it.

During the meeting, Pakistan briefed the US on its recent tenure as president of the United Nations Security Council, noting several initiatives undertaken, including the consensus adoption of Resolution 2788 on the peaceful settlement of disputes. Pakistan positioned this as part of its broader diplomatic agenda on global conflict resolution, despite India’s opposition to multilateralizing bilateral issues such as Kashmir.

On security matters, Pakistan emphasized its role as a frontline state in the global war on terror, highlighting its past sacrifices and ongoing efforts. Both sides recognized the potential for enhanced counterterrorism cooperation to bolster regional security, amidst persistent international concerns about extremist safe havens.

The conversation extended to global peacebuilding efforts, including the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Pakistan reiterated its willingness to contribute constructively to international peace initiatives, with both parties agreeing on the importance of coordinated global action in conflict zones.

Secretary Rubio acknowledged the positive trajectory in Pakistan-US relations and expressed Washington’s desire to deepen collaboration in economic development, trade, investment, and counterterrorism. He also commended Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining the ceasefire with India and promoting regional peace, even though Pakistan reportedly broke the truce shortly after Trump publicly announced it on social media.

This high-level dialogue reflects ongoing efforts to stabilize a tense region through diplomacy, economic cooperation, and mutual security commitments, with the US playing a facilitative role.

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