WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on July 25, officials confirmed Wednesday. This marks Dar’s first formal engagement with Secretary Rubio, setting the stage for discussions on bilateral relations and key regional issues.
According to diplomatic sources, the high-level dialogue will focus on the current state of Pakistan-US relations, recent developments in South Asia, especially Pakistan-India tensions, and broader matters of mutual concern.
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, who will be attending the meeting, confirmed that senior officials from both countries will participate. Addressing a media briefing ahead of the talks, Bruce was asked about the US stance on Pakistan-India communication over Kashmir, similar to its support for direct talks on the Indus Waters Treaty.
While avoiding a direct commitment, Bruce responded diplomatically, saying, “We have Pakistan who is going to be here for a bilat, and I’ll be participating in that, so I’m looking forward to that as well.” Her remarks hint at a possible opening for the Kashmir issue to be discussed, even if informally.
The meeting comes at a time of heightened regional sensitivity, recalling past instances where US leaders, including former President Donald Trump, expressed willingness to mediate between India and Pakistan. Notably, Trump had offered to facilitate dialogue during a summit in Saudi Arabia, though no formal process followed. This visit may offer a fresh opportunity for strategic dialogue amid evolving regional dynamics.
