New FM wants friendship with all, enmity with none

Newly appointed caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Thursday outlined his priorities, saying he would pursue close relationships with all major powers including the US, China and European Union (EU), better ties with India and further cementing cooperation with the Gulf region.

Talking Exclusively to The Express Tribune soon after taking oath as caretaker Foreign Minister, the veteran diplomat said he would continue to follow foreign policy evolved through national consensus.

Jilani, who served as foreign secretary and Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, explained that there was a national consensus that Pakistan had to have a good relationship with the US while at the same time maintaining close ties with China.

“We are clear that Pakistan will not enter into any bloc politics,” the caretaker foreign minister said amid growing tussle between China and the US.

Pakistan has been treading carefully since the US-China rivalry got intense. At times Pakistan had to make difficult choices.

For example, Pakistan twice skipped the US President’s Democracy Summit in what was seen as a clear effort not to antagonise its long term ally China.

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At the same time, Pakistan has also pushed for a close relationship with the US. It is believed that Washington played a key role in ensuring the standby agreement Pakistan signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to avoid a potential default.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and underlined the shared interests of both the countries for working together for the economic prosperity of Pakistan.

Given that elections may not take place this year, Jilani may have to deal with many pressing foreign policy challenges.

Jilani was of the view that Pakistan always wanted better ties with its eastern neighbour. However, he added that better relationship with India was contingent upon both sides resolving the long standing issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

The interim foreign minister emphasised on the importance of maintaining close relationship with the Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia and UAE.

The army-led economic revival plan was dependent on the investment from these two Gulf countries.

Pakistan is eyeing billions of dollars investment from Saudi Arabia and UAE to address its chronic economic challenges including the current account issues that often compelled the country to seek IMF bailouts.

Jilani said the relationship with these Gulf countries was crucial and he would continue to make efforts for further deepening those ties.

He highlighted the importance of Pakistan’s relationship with the European Union (EU). He said the EU was Pakistan’s major trading partner and Pakistan was benefiting from the GSP plus scheme. Jilani said he would want to seek closer ties with the 27-nation bloc.