Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the State Department in Washington past due Monday night in the cutting-edge push by using Pakistan to are seeking for the US cooperation past protection and Afghanistan.
The US Secretary of State expressed sorrow over the loss of lives within the devastating floods induced through remarkable torrential rains. Blinken assured all-out guide to Pakistan at a time while the usa is searching for international assist.
The meeting become attended by using senior officials from each sides. From Pakistan, Bilawal was assisted by means of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistan Ambassador to US Masood Khan and others at the same time as Bilenken changed into followed through his senior adviser as well as Donald Lu, the USA diplomatic who become at the centre of the ‘Cablegate’ affair in advance this year.
PTI leader Imran Khan had noted the diplomatic cypher as clear proof of US involvement in his removal thru a vote of no-self belief at a time while ties among the 2 countries were already at the lowest ebb. Imran’s allegations similarly cast a shadow at the bilateral ties.
Official resources said the visit of Bilawal turned into aimed toward locating approaches to construct relationships on a sustainable basis inside the wake of the USA withdrawal from Afghanistan.
There were worries that the USA may not be inquisitive about having lengthy-time period relationships or is handiest keen to consciousness on the slim aspects of security and counter-terrorism.
Ties between the two international locations remained low-key at some point of the PTI authorities particularly after President Biden took over the White House. He by no means made a courtesy call to the then choicest Imran Khan in what became visible as a snub to the PTI chief for making debatable statements following the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.
But since the exchange of government, there were seen efforts from each sides to reset the relationship.
In the distance of some months, there had been numerous exchanges among the 2 nations. Prime Minister Shehbaz even had a short interaction with President Biden in New York at a reception he hosted for the sector leaders attending the UN General Assembly session.
Similarly, the Biden management accepted a $450 million sale of F16 device to Pakistan, something this is seen as tremendous.
However, despite a few fine movement observers trust that India could stay a principled ally of the USA on this vicinity and Pakistan doesn’t determine prominently inside the new changing strategic realities.
Nevertheless, it’s miles believed that the USA won’t completely flip a blind eye toward Pakistan. It turned into because of this purpose that Biden mainly noted Pakistan at some point of his cope with on the UN General Assembly session. He sought the worldwide community’s support for Pakistan in the wake of the devastating floods.
Both aspects additionally mentioned the nearby and worldwide issues of mutual pastimes. Bilawal, in keeping with resources, briefed the Secretary of State approximately the country of the connection with India with a selected attention on Kashmir.
It is crucial to observe that Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is also in Washington and had a operating dinner with Secretary Blinken, who met Bilawal within the afternoon.
Against this backdrop, the assembly among Bilawal and Blinken was visible as a tremendous development.
President Joe Biden in his deal with to the UN General Assembly urged the global network to assist Pakistan as many parts of Sindh and Balochistan had been nonetheless underneath water.
Pakistan particularly is searching for debt restructuring from the advanced countries, also referred to as Paris Club, with a view to divert sources for the reconstruction efforts.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his meeting with the Head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) additionally sought $three billion upfront to deal with the weather-induced floods.
In each debt restructuring and upfront IMF fee, the United States ought to play a essential position.
Other troubles on the schedule of Bilawal’s meeting with Blinken include locating ways to enhance exchange and US investment in Pakistan.
