Blinken’s call to Bilawal hints at ‘reset in relations’
WASHINGTON: After a period of diplomatic chill in ties under the previous Imran Khan government, the US renewed its high-level engagement on Friday, with secretary of state Antony Blinken reaching out to Pakistan’s new foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-zardari with the desire to strengthen the bilateral relationship.
“The secretary underscored the resolute Us-pakistan commitment to Afghan stability and combating terrorism, ” the US state department said. “The secretary and foreign minister also highlighted ongoing engagement on trade and investment, climate, energy, health and education.” Highlighting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the state department said it was looking forward to “strengthening our cooperation”.
The Pakistani foreign minister said in a post on Twitter that he was grateful for Blinken’s warm felicitations. They exchanged views on “strengthening mutually beneficial, broad based relationship” and “promotion of peace, development and security” and agreed that “engagement with mutual respect is the way forward”, he added.
A Pakistani foreign ministry statement said Blinken had invited Pakistan for both the Second Covid Global Summit to be held virtually later this month, and a ministerial meeting on Global Food Security to be held in New York on May 18.
“The foreign minister emphasised that Pakistan’s vision was focused on human development, regional connectivity, and a peaceful neighbourhood,” the statement added.