WASHINGTON, July 26, 2025 — In a significant diplomatic development, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Friday to discuss a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, including trade, investment, counterterrorism, and tensions between Pakistan and India.
This meeting marks the first high-level foreign ministerial engagement between the two countries in over three years, and is being widely seen as a reset in Pakistan-US relations.
On the same day, the US appointed Elizabeth Horst, a former senior State Department official, as the acting ambassador to Pakistan, filling a key diplomatic vacancy in Islamabad.
The talks between Dar and Rubio were their first since the two collaborated in May to help broker a ceasefire that ended a dangerous military standoff between India and Pakistan.
In a statement following the meeting, Foreign Minister Dar highlighted the commitment to strengthening the long-term partnership.
“We reaffirmed our commitment to the Pakistan-US partnership, with a renewed focus on economic, trade, investment, IT/AI, and counterterrorism cooperation,” he posted on social media.
Secretary Rubio echoed similar sentiments, noting that the two sides discussed expanding trade and collaborating on critical minerals.
“I thanked Pakistan’s foreign minister for preserving regional stability and discussed ways to deepen economic ties,” he said.
Referring to the May conflict between India and Pakistan, Dar credited Washington’s “constructive role” in helping secure peace in South Asia. According to a statement from Pakistan’s embassy in Washington, Dar said the US helped “avert a potential nuclear confrontation and restore calm in a volatile region.”
Rubio also acknowledged Pakistan’s “unparalleled sacrifices” in the fight against terrorism and described Islamabad as a “constructive actor” in promoting regional peace.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to counterterrorism cooperation and regional stability.
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???? Boosting Trade & Investment
The two delegations discussed opportunities in agriculture, energy, technology, and particularly critical minerals, with Dar describing Pakistan as an “attractive destination for American investors.” He expressed optimism that progress in the ongoing trade dialogue would soon yield concrete results.
Dar further revealed that a Pakistan-US agreement on mineral extraction is nearing completion and could be finalized in “weeks or days, not months.”
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The meeting also touched on joint efforts at global forums such as the United Nations Security Council, where both parties agreed to continue close coordination on regional and international developments.
???? On Imran Khan & Strategic Choices
When asked about former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s incarceration, Dar drew a parallel with the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who remains imprisoned in the US. He stated that Pakistan respected the American judicial process and expects the same in return.
“Due process was followed in Mr. Khan’s case, and when that is the case, no one has the right to interfere,” he said.
Responding to questions about Pakistan’s defense partnerships, particularly with China, Dar made it clear that Islamabad would pursue whichever defense deals offer greater strategic and financial value.