US Vice President says Trump administration loves Pakistan

Acknowledging Pakistan’s mediatory role, which resulted in the US and Iran striking a peace deal a few days ago, US Vice President (VP) JD Vance said on Sunday that Pakistan played a very important role for the restoration of peace in the Gulf, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Speaking to Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of technical-level talks between the US and Iran at Bürgenstock, Switzerland, Vance said that President Donald Trump and members of his administration loved Pakistan.

Addressing the media in Switzerland, JD Vance has expressed his appreciation for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling him a “dear friend of the president’s, dear friend of mine”.

“His very careful and skilled negotiations got us to this point,” Vance said of the premier.

He also appreciated CDF Asim Munir, saying he had joked since his reception in Islamabad earlier this year that “I have two very, very important people in my life: an Indian and a Pakistani. The Indian is my wife, and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir.”

“I’ve probably talked to Field Marshal Munir more than I’ve talked to anybody else over the last three months,” he added. “He is of course a great military leader but I think he’s shown himself to be a great diplomat.”

Earlier, on arrival, the field marshal and the prime minister hugged the US vice president and had an exchange of smiles.

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were also present at the meeting, while the Pakistani delegation included senior foreign ministry officials.

Meanwhile, technical-level talks between the United States and Iran under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) began on Sunday in Bürgenstock. Officials from the United States, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar participated in the discussions aimed at moving forward with the commitments outlined in the agreement reached between Washington and Tehran.

Flags of the US, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar are flying at the venue for the talks.

Foreign Office spokesman said that Pakistan would continue to facilitate the talks as a mediator. "Pakistan's objective is to ensure lasting peace in the region by making sure that the atmosphere of reconciliation between the two countries persisted," he added.