Pakistan wants 'strongest relations' with US while maintaining strategic partnership with China: Ishaq Dar

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated on Sunday that Islamabad is committed to building the “strongest relations” with the United States, despite its longstanding strategic partnership with China.

Speaking to the Pakistani community in New York during a televised address, Dar emphasized that Pakistan does not view its relationship with the US through the lens of its ties with China.

“Our government has consistently conveyed—and will continue to emphasize—that our iron-clad brotherly partnership with China should not be seen as a hindrance to fostering strong ties with the United States,” Dar said. “We want the strongest possible relationship with the United States of America as well.”

Pakistan has long attempted to maintain a delicate balance between Washington and Beijing. While cooperating closely with the US on military and counter-terrorism efforts, Islamabad has deepened its economic engagement with China, particularly through the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Meanwhile, US-China relations have deteriorated over the years due to a growing rivalry on global issues, including trade, Taiwan, the South China Sea, and strategic infrastructure investments.

Dar noted that under the previous government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (2022–2023), Pakistan had made its policy clear to Washington. However, he said the Biden administration had shown limited engagement with Islamabad during that time.

“I’m glad that the [Trump administration] has actively engaged with us,” Dar added.

On Friday, Dar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington. According to the foreign minister, Rubio acknowledged Pakistan’s “constructive role” in promoting peace in the region and globally. Dar highlighted the significance of the meeting, noting it was the first direct interaction between US and Pakistani foreign ministers in nearly nine years.

“I would say the meeting was very cordial. We discussed regional and global issues, as well as bilateral matters,” he said.

Dar is currently on an eight-day official visit to the United States, which concludes on July 28. During his stay, he has maintained a packed schedule in New York, including presiding over several high-level meetings at the United Nations Security Council, where Pakistan holds the rotating presidency this month.