Biden reaches out to Pakistani premier

In first official letter to Shehbaz, US president signals engagement

ISLAMABAD:

US President Joe Biden on Friday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying Washington will continue to stand with Pakistan to tackle the most “pressing global and regional challenges.”

This marked Biden's first official correspondence with any Pakistani premier in years.

Breaking from tradition, President Biden departed from his predecessors' ritual of engaging with Pakistani leaders during his tenure. Neither did he reach out to former prime minister Imran Khan after his election victory, nor did he communicate with Shehbaz upon his succession in April 2022.

According to the contents of the letter shared by the US Embassy here, President Biden wrote: “The enduring partnership between our nations remains critical to ensuring the security of our people—and people around the world—and the United States will continue to stand with Pakistan to tackle the most pressing global and regional challenges of our time.”

“That includes advancing our shared vision for a future of greater health security, economic growth, and access to education for all. Through our U.S.-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework, we will also continue to strengthen our climate resilience, support sustainable agriculture and water management, and assist with Pakistan’s recovery from the devastating floods in 2022,” Biden said.

Read more: Pakistan hopes for revival of ‘high-level’ dialogue with US under Biden

“And, the United States remains committed to working with Pakistan to protect human rights and promote progress,” he added.

“Together, we will continue to forge a strong partnership between our nations, and close bond between our people,” he concluded.

Biden’s letter suggested that despite allegations of ballot fraud, the US government is ready to work with the new government.

Although Pakistan is no longer a priority for the US after its withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, the South Asian nation remains key in terms of regional security and counter-terrorism efforts.

While the American civilian leaders have had an indifferent attitude towards Pakistan in recent years, the American military establishment still wants a working relationship with Pakistan.

In some of the recent testimonies before the US Senate committees, US CENTCOM chief Michael Kurilla stressed the importance of Pakistan and said the US must see ties with Islamabad on its own merit.