Blome calls for stronger ties with Islamabad

US envoy says ‘Green Alliance’ seeks to promote climate-smart farming, private sector-led growth in Pakistan

KARACHI:

US Ambassador Donald Blome called for further strengthening the robust bilateral relations between Washington and Islamabad through the US-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework.

During his visit to Karachi between June 22 and 24, the US ambassador emphasised the need for stronger ties between his country and Pakistan.

The envoy engaged with government officials, the American Business Council, Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pakistan Council on Foreign Relations, and Pakistan Naval Academy during his visit.

Ambassador Blome and Consul General Nicole Theriot were accompanied by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and other political, business, and civil society leaders in Karachi to celebrate the 247th US Independence Day.

“I am honoured and grateful for the opportunity to live and serve in this remarkable country,” Ambassador Blome said at the reception.

“Americans and Pakistanis have so much in common and have many shared achievements to be proud of. Together, we can advance a more stable, green, and prosperous future for both our nations,” he added.

In his meeting with the Sindh chief minister, Blome discussed opportunities to expand the US-Pakistan trade and economic partnership as well as other shared priorities.

Blome also visited Joint Maritime Information Command Centre (JMICC).

There, he met with Coastal Command (COMCOAST) Commander Rear Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz to advance a common vision for maritime peace and stability in the region.

In his meetings with industry leaders at the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) and American Business Council (ABC), Ambassador Blome discussed how the US and Pakistan could further facilitate private sector-led, equitable and sustainable economic growth for both the nations.

“We are committed to boosting bilateral trade and investment, especially through a new framework called the US-Pakistan ‘Green Alliance’ … it seeks to promote climate-smart agriculture and private sector-led growth in Pakistan,” he explained while speaking with the industry leaders of the country.

Read US cannot take India for granted

Washington is Islamabad’s largest bilateral trade partner and one of its largest sources of foreign direct investment, with US investment in Pakistan increasing more than 50% in the past year.

During his speech at the Pakistan Council on Foreign Relations, Ambassador Blome noted that when he considered the future of US-Pakistan relations, he saw many possibilities to advance their shared interests in trade, investment, clean energy, health security, climate change, inclusive governance, and regional security.

Another important highlight of Ambassador Blome’s Karachi visit was to observe the Commencement Exercise at the Pakistan Naval Academy.

“We want to further strengthen the maritime security cooperation with the Pakistan Navy to secure freedom of navigation in international waters to facilitate economic activity in the region and globally,” he said on the occasion.

Earlier this week, the US had asked Pakistan about its fallback option in case the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme ends next week without disbursing the third-to-last loan tranche of $1.2 billion.

During a meeting with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar held in the Q Block, Blome had sprung the question.

The “Plan B,” as Pakistani authorities term it, is now the most sought-after blueprint that everyone is looking for, as the four-year IMF programme may meet the same fate as the 21 previous failed programmes.

Meanwhile, there appears to be a shift in regional dynamics, both with the US and India nexus solidifying with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington.

Apart from that, there is a breakthrough between the US and China to scale down tensions and opt for a non-confrontational path.