ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s new Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and expressed his desire to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Pakistani foreign minister is currently visiting New York to attend United Nations global food security conference which has brought together top diplomats from several other countries.
His visit to the US comes at a time when Pakistan’s fragile relations with Washington hit a new low after former prime minister Imran Khan accused the American administration of bringing down his government.
Khan said that Washington supported his ouster from power since he was pursuing “independent foreign policy” while trying to build closer relations with China and Russia. US officials have denied the allegations repeatedly.
“I ... look forward to the opportunity to increasing engagement between Pakistan and the United States, working with yourself and your administration to improve trade relations between Pakistan and the United States and create opportunities for American investors and Pakistani investors and Pakistani businessmen and American entrepreneurs to work together,” Bhutto-Zardari said during his meeting with Blinken that lasted for about 45 minutes.
The Pakistani foreign minister, who was invited to the conference by the US state secretary, said countries like Pakistan had been “facing challenges in food security, water security, energy security because of a whole host of issues ranging from climate change to issues in our neighborhood.”
Earlier, during his remarks to welcome Bhutto-Zardari, Blinken said the visit offered “an important opportunity for us to talk about the many issues we’re working together.”
“We want to focus on the work we’re doing to strengthen economic and commercial ties between the United States and Pakistan, of course, focused on regional security,” he added.
A statement issued by the US Department of State said Blinken met the Pakistani foreign minister “to affirm the shared desire for a strong and prosperous bilateral relationship.”
It added that the two officials discussed expanding partnership in climate, investment, trade, and health as well as people-to-people ties.
“They underscored the importance of US-Pakistan cooperation on regional peace, counterterrorism, Afghan stability, support for Ukraine, and democratic principles,” the statement continued. “The Secretary welcomed Pakistan’s Chairmanship of the G77 and committed to advancing climate action and global food security.”
Pakistan’s foreign office also confirmed the two officials discussed several issues of mutual interest.
“During the meeting, a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues came under discussion,” it said in a Twitter post.
It added the Pakistani foreign minister underscored long standing and broad-based US-Pakistan relations based on mutual trust and respect.