Islamabad (TDI): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a phone conversation that focused on strengthening bilateral ties and reviewing current regional developments, according to an official statement.
The two discussed everything from diplomatic cooperation to ongoing challenges in South Asia and the Middle East. They also agreed to stay in touch and build on recent progress in several areas of mutual interest.
This call follows a string of high-level interactions between the two countries in recent weeks. Back in June, Field Marshal, Army Chief Asim Munir, was hosted by US President Donald Trump for a rare one-on-one lunch at the White House.
The meeting, which surprised many in diplomatic circles, came just weeks after a short but intense military flare-up between Pakistan and India. Trump reportedly thanked Gen. Munir for Pakistan’s restraint and role in helping to avoid a wider conflict.
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That crisis had erupted in late April after an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir left 26 people dead, most of them tourists. India blamed Pakistan-based militants for the assault, something Islamabad strongly denied.
Things escalated quickly. In early May, Pakistani forces launched “Operation Bunyanum Marsoos” in retaliation for Indian strikes that had killed civilians. On May 10, Pakistan fired Al-Fatah missiles at several Indian military sites. Tensions cooled only after Trump stepped in personally, leading to a ceasefire within days.
Since then, Washington and Islamabad have moved quickly to rebuild their economic relationship. Just last week, Pakistan finalized a major trade agreement with the US, focusing on tariff reductions and expanded market access.
In a separate announcement, Trump revealed plans for a joint energy venture aimed at tapping into Pakistan’s oil reserves. Speaking on Truth Social, he even joked that Pakistan might one day be selling oil to India.
Last month, Dar and Rubio met face-to-face at the State Department, alongside Pakistan’s Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh. That meeting covered a wide range of topics, investment, technology, agriculture, mineral exploration, and more.
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Dar, during that visit, made it clear that Pakistan sees a stable relationship with Washington as vital. He also highlighted opportunities for US investors in key sectors.
On security, both sides discussed regional counterterrorism efforts. Dar appreciated Trump’s role in helping cool tensions with India, while Rubio acknowledged Pakistan’s contributions in fighting terrorism and promoting regional stability.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
