By Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan
High-level contacts between Pakistan and the US are encouraging and will play an important role in restoring trust and confidence for narrowing down the misunderstandings and differences.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari received a telephone call from the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. It is his first official interaction with the US senior officials after taking the charge of the ministry of foreign affairs of Pakistan.
During the phone call, Secretary Blinken congratulated Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the assumption of his Office and expressed the desire to continue strengthening the mutually beneficial Pakistan-U.S. bilateral relationship. US-Pakistan relations have a long history covering seven decades, but were also facing many ups and downs. While both sides have a desire to restore the traditional friendship, this interaction will be the first step in the right direction.
Exchanging views on various aspects of Pakistan-U.S. relations, the Foreign Minister underscored that Pakistan and the United States have a longstanding broad-based relationship. He added that constructive and sustained engagement between the two countries on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest was vital to promote peace, development, and security in the region and beyond. Relationships based on mutual respect, sovereignty, and mutual interests will be the guiding principles of relations. The Foreign Minister emphasized that Pakistan’s vision was focused on human development, regional connectivity, and a peaceful neighborhood. Pakistan desires peace and harmony with all neighboring states and in the whole region.
Building on the Pakistan-U.S. cooperation in dealing with the COVID pandemic during the last two years, Secretary Blinken invited Pakistan to the Second Global COVID Summit to be held virtually later this month. Pakistan is one of the blessed nations, which has faced COVID with very little damage. Pakistan’s experience to overcome the Pandemic was admired by many nations around the world. Pakistan is always willing to share its experiences and extends a helping hand toward any nation’s desires.
An invitation was also extended by the Secretary of State for Pakistan’s participation in the Ministerial meeting on Global Food Security to be held in New York on 18 May 2022. Pakistan is an agricultural country, with huge cultivable land, an excellent climate, and an abundance of water supply. Agriculture contributes around 60% to National productivity, exports, and job creation. Around 60% of the population in Pakistan lives in rural areas and is linked with the agriculture sector directly or indirectly.
Yet, climate change is a serious threat to Pakistan in respect of food security. Urbanization is also a serious issue need to be addressed. Pakistan is exploring all available options to address its food security and is willing to work closely with the international community to overcome such important issues. Pakistan is seeking advanced technologies and approaches to address climate change and food security. Pakistan not only can solve its problems but, possess the potential to support regional countries in overcoming food security-related issues. Pakistan has been a major supplier of food to Afghanistan on a humanitarian basis. Pakistan has also supplied humanitarian assistance to war-torn Ukraine. In the past, Pakistan has been proactively supplying food to needy nations in Africa and other parts of the world.
The Foreign Minister and the Secretary of State agreed to remain in contact and enhance engagement on regional and global issues of mutual interest. It is desired that the frequent interaction, especially the high-level contacts will pave the ways and means to restore the traditional friendship between the US and Pakistan. History has witnessed and it is on record that as long as Pakistan and the US were on the same page and cooperation with others, the US achieved all its strategic goals in this region. But, since, the US has written off Pakistan and tilted toward India, ignoring Pakistan’s interests, is facing severe challenges one after another.
The leadership in Washington is well aware of the true potential of Pakistan and it seems there exists a sincere will to improve relations. Pakistan is grateful for the assistance and support extended by the US in the past, and expects more high-level cooperation and collaboration for the sustainable development of Pakistan and the whole region. It is expected the harmony and cooperation between the two nations will also be fruitful for regional and global peace, security, and development.
Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan – Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.
(The views and opinions expressed in this article are only of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinion or position of World Geostrategic Insights).
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