Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar Arrives in Washington for US Talks

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reached Washington on Thursday evening, marking the second phase of his eight-day official visit to the United States.

Upon arrival, the Deputy Prime Minister was welcomed by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, alongside senior officials from the embassy.

During his stay in Washington, DC, Dar is slated to engage with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Department of State.

Their discussion will encompass vital aspects of Pakistan-US relations, specifically exploring avenues to enhance bilateral ties with an emphasis on bolstering trade, investment, and economic collaboration.

The Deputy Prime Minister is also scheduled to deliver a speech at the US think tank, The Atlantic Council, where he will present Pakistan’s viewpoint on matters of regional and global importance, along with the trajectory of Pakistan-US relations.

This meeting will mark Dar’s first formal engagement with Secretary Rubio.

Earlier, US State Department representative Tammy Bruce verified the imminent meeting, noting that high-ranking officials from both nations would participate, including herself.

Furthermore, a Pakistani delegation is expected to convene with officials from the Trump administration in Washington to finalize a trade agreement.

Bruce informed reporters during a press briefing on Wednesday that she would be involved in these discussions.

Pakistan is pursuing relief from the 29% reciprocal tariffs that were initiated during the ‘Liberation Day’ announcement in early April.

As a component of these negotiations, Pakistan has proposed increasing its imports of US cotton and soybeans, building upon its current status as the second-largest buyer of US cotton, following China.

The United States remains Pakistan’s primary export destination, with Pakistan achieving a surplus of approximately $3 billion in 2024.

Recent months have indicated a positive shift in the diplomatic relationship between Washington and Islamabad. US President Donald Trump recently extended an invitation to Pakistan’s Army Chief and Field Marshal Asim Munir for significant discussions at the White House.

The Foreign Office highlighted in a statement on July 19 that Dar’s presence in Washington underscores Pakistan’s increasing significance in both multilateral forums and bilateral diplomatic engagements with the US.

In a separate engagement, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has also conducted meetings in Washington with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to further the trade discussions.

A statement from the Ministry of Finance confirmed that “Both sides conveyed their satisfaction with the advancements in improving trade and economic relations, which are a fundamental aspect of Pakistan-US bilateral cooperation.”