Foreign Minister of Pakistan: A firm brotherly partnership with China, and also hopes to establish the strongest relations with the United States

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar said on Sunday at an event that, despite having a solid partnership with Beijing, the rival of Washington, Islamabad still hopes to build "the strongest relations" with the United States.

Islamabad is trying to maintain a delicate balance between Beijing and Washington. Pakistan aligns with the United States in military cooperation and counter-terrorism, while strengthening its economic ties with Beijing through initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which costs billions of dollars.

In a television address to the Pakistani diaspora community in New York, Dar said, "The government and we have always emphasized and will continue to emphasize our relationship and the iron brotherly partnership with China, and our relationship with the United States should not be viewed from this perspective."

Dar pointed out, "We also hope to establish the strongest relations with the United States. This is the policy of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shabaz." Dar noted that during the previous Shabaz government, Pakistan had clearly stated to the US that this was Islamabad's official policy. However, he said, the then Biden administration did not engage with Pakistan.

Dar said, "I am glad that the Trump administration engaged with us actively." Dar met with U.S. Secretary of State Rubio face-to-face in Washington on Friday, and the latter affirmed Pakistan's "constructive role" in regional and world peace during the meeting.

Dar pointed out that this was the first meeting between foreign ministers of Pakistan and the United States in nine years. Dar said, "I would like to say that this meeting was very friendly, and we discussed all regional and global issues. We also discussed bilateral issues."

Dar is currently on an eight-day visit to the United States, which will end on July 28. His schedule in New York is very busy, and he has chaired several high-level meetings for Pakistan, the rotating chair of the Security Council this month.

In addition to security cooperation between Pakistan and the United States, Islamabad is also seeking to reach a trade agreement with Washington. Dar said it could be reached "in a few days."

Dar said, "I think we are very close to finalizing an agreement with the United States. Our team has been discussing in Washington, holding online meetings, and the Prime Minister has instructed a committee to make minor adjustments."

Dar previously stated at a discussion at the Washington-based think tank, the Atlantic Council, "This will not take months, or even weeks. I would say a few days."

It is worth noting that President Trump met with Pakistan's military leader, Chief of Army Staff General Munir, at the White House last month.

Source: rfi

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838842176822282/

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