Dar, Rubio hold talks in Washington as Pakistan, US eye stronger trade and security ties

In a significant diplomatic engagement, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington D.C. on Friday, marking the first in-person meeting between the two leaders — and signaling a potential reset in bilateral ties amid evolving regional dynamics.

The meeting represents the first cabinet-level dialogue between Pakistan and the United States since 2016.

Held at the U.S. State Department, the high-level talks spanned a wide range of issues, including counterterrorism cooperation, regional peace and stability, economic ties, and investment opportunities. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening strategic engagement and enhancing bilateral relations.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of renewed tensions in South Asia following a deadly April 17 attack in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir, which left 26 people dead. India accused Pakistan-based militants of orchestrating the assault -- a claim Islamabad strongly rejected, instead urging an independent international investigation.

Tensions escalated further on May 7 with reports of cross-border artillery exchanges and limited airstrikes. The crisis prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to step in and mediate a ceasefire between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

While Pakistan welcomed the U.S. initiative, India rebuffed third-party mediation, reiterating its position that Kashmir remains a strictly bilateral issue.

Economic engagement and investment outlook

Amid growing geopolitical uncertainty, the meeting also focused on strengthening economic and diplomatic cooperation. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, both sides held in-depth discussions on boosting trade and investment, with special emphasis on agriculture, technology, and mineral development.

Dar emphasized Pakistan’s desire to expand economic ties with the United States, describing the country as an “attractive destination for American businesses and investors.” He also voiced optimism about the ongoing progress of the Pakistan-U.S. Trade Dialogue.

“We seek to further expand and stabilize our bilateral ties with the United States,” Dar said, emphasizing the need for organized and sustained cooperation across key sectors.

Focus on counterterrorism and regional peace

Security cooperation remained a key focus, with both leaders acknowledging the importance of working together to combat terrorism and maintain regional stability.

Rubio recognized Pakistan’s "invaluable sacrifices" in the fight against terrorism, while Dar reiterated Islamabad’s longstanding commitment to global and regional peace. He also praised former President Donald Trump and U.S. leadership for their role in easing recent tensions between Pakistan and India.

“The efforts of President Trump and the U.S. leadership during the recent Pakistan-India standoff are commendable,” Dar noted.

He further emphasized that Pakistan and the U.S. share aligned perspectives and interests when it comes to promoting peace in South Asia.

Community and diplomatic bridges

The meeting was attended by senior officials from both countries, including Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh. Welcoming Dar upon arrival at the State Department, American officials acknowledged the importance of sustained dialogue at the highest levels.

Dar also highlighted the positive role of the Pakistani diaspora in the U.S., describing the community as a “bridge” between the two nations.

Reaffirming their intent to work closely together, both sides pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation and build robust linkages across diplomacy, trade, and security.

“This meeting marks an important step in building trust and expanding engagement,” Dar said, underlining Pakistan’s readiness to move forward on mutual goals.