Dar, Rubio discuss bilateral ties, regional issues
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) and DPM Ishaq Dar (Right). Photo: File
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments, according to an official statement.
The two leaders exchanged views on a range of bilateral matters as well as current regional and international issues.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, spoke with U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio @SecRubio.
The two leaders discussed a range of bilateral matters and exchanged views on current regional & international issues. Both sides agreed to… pic.twitter.com/tHwEI15LJ5Both sides agreed to remain in contact and continue cooperation on areas of mutual interest.
The phone call comes amid a series of high-level engagements between the two countries.
In June, US President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan’s army chief for an unprecedented lunch at the White House, where the two sides discussed the Iran-Israel conflict and other strategic issues. Trump thanked him for helping to avert a war with India.
The meeting followed a Trump-brokered ceasefire in May between Pakistan and India after a four-day military clash.
The heaviest fighting in decades between India and Pakistan was sparked by an April 22 attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that killed 26 people, most of them tourists.
New Delhi blamed the incident on "terrorists" backed by Pakistan, a charge denied by Islamabad.
Pakistan conducted Operation Bunyanum Marsoos in response to the Indian military’s dastardly attacks that began on the night of May 6 and 7, resulting in the loss of innocent civilian lives, including women, children, and the elderly.
Read: Dar, Rubio discuss trade tariffs in phone call
On May 10, Pakistan deployed its Al-Fatah missile and targeted multiple Indian military installations. However, after the intervention of Donald Trump, a full and immediate ceasefire was reached between India and Pakistan.
Last week, Pakistan announced it had finalized a “landmark” trade deal with the United States, aimed at reducing tariffs and strengthening economic cooperation. Trump separately unveiled a partnership to help develop Pakistan’s oil reserves.
Trump announced the new deal with Pakistan for the joint development of Pakistan’s oil reserves, calling it part of broader trade discussions between the two countries. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US is in the process of selecting a company to lead the project and jokingly added that Pakistan might eventually sell oil to India.
Last month, Dar met Rubio at the State Department in their first in-person meeting, accompanied by Pakistan’s Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh and senior officials. Talks covered a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, technology, and minerals.
Dar emphasized Pakistan’s interest in a stable and expanded relationship with the US and highlighted the country’s potential for American investment. On regional security, the two discussed counterterrorism and peace efforts, with Dar praising President Trump’s role in easing tensions between Pakistan and India. Rubio acknowledged Pakistan’s counterterrorism sacrifices and its contributions to regional and global peace.