Islamabad | July 25, 2025
In a notable diplomatic engagement, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Friday, in what officials are describing as a critical round of talks aimed at addressing bilateral, regional, and global concerns — with the Pakistan-India dynamic also firmly on the table.
Confirming the meeting at a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated, “The entire spectrum of bilateral matters, along with important developments in the Middle East, Iran, and South Asia, will be discussed. The Pakistan-India situation will also be a part of the dialogue.”
Khan underscored Pakistan’s appreciation for U.S. efforts in de-escalating tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi, particularly in the aftermath of recent hostilities that had drawn international alarm.
The Dar-Rubio meeting marks a potential turning point in Pakistan-U.S. relations, which had long been stalled. For much of President Biden’s term, Islamabad found itself sidelined, with little engagement from the U.S. at the ministerial level. That dynamic, however, appears to have shifted dramatically since Donald Trump returned to office.
Relations began to thaw after Pakistan played a pivotal role in assisting U.S. intelligence in capturing one of the masterminds behind the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul. President Trump, in his first major address of his second term, lauded Pakistan’s counterterrorism cooperation — a gesture that opened new doors for bilateral collaboration.
Ties between the two nations deepened further following the Pahalgam attack in May, which brought Pakistan and India once again to the brink. While Islamabad acknowledged Washington’s backchannel efforts in brokering a ceasefire, New Delhi pushed back, challenging U.S. claims.
In a striking diplomatic gesture, Pakistan went as far as to nominate President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in diffusing South Asian tensions and “exercising courageous leadership” in the region.
J&K and Indus Waters Treaty on Agenda
Asked about whether Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) would be raised during the upcoming talks, the Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that both issues remain central to Pakistan’s foreign policy and would indeed form part of the discussion with Secretary Rubio.
Responding to President Trump’s recent comments taking credit for preventing a near-nuclear escalation between India and Pakistan, Khan was measured but clear: “We’ve consistently acknowledged the role of friendly nations — including the U.S. The events of that crisis are no secret.”
When questioned about prospects for engagement with New Delhi, Khan reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to resume dialogue — but placed the onus on India.
“Pakistan has always advocated for peaceful settlement of disputes and remains open to talks. But ultimately, India must decide the path it wishes to pursue. Dialogue is not a favor one country extends to another — it is in the mutual interest of both nations and the broader cause of regional stability.”
Warming Ties with Kabul
The spokesperson also spoke at length about Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s recent visit to Afghanistan, describing it as a “very successful” step in improving bilateral relations.
He noted that the visit came on the heels of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s earlier trip to Kabul in April — a visit he termed a “watershed moment” in Pak-Afghan relations.
“There’s a noticeable positive momentum in our interactions with Kabul. Both countries are making consistent efforts to consolidate diplomatic gains and build long-term cooperation,” said Khan.
He emphasized that security and counterterrorism were the core focus of the minister’s visit, acknowledging Pakistan’s longstanding concern about safe havens for terrorists operating out of Afghan territory.
“We’ve raised our concerns, and we are encouraged by Kabul’s willingness to engage constructively. While technical-level discussions are ongoing, politically speaking, this visit achieved what it was meant to,” he said.
Khan concluded by reminding reporters that security cooperation must be viewed in the broader context of strengthening ties between two “brotherly neighbors,” noting that mutual trust and collaboration were key to lasting peace and stability in the region.
