Washington (TDI): Pakistan’s embassy in Washington, United States, hosted its annual Mango Festival, welcoming a large crowd to experience the “king of fruits” at the event that was part of the embassy’s public outreach efforts.
Guests included diplomats, US government officials, congressional aides, think tank experts, journalists, and members of the Pakistani-American community.
Welcoming the guests, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh spoke about the mango’s importance in Pakistani society, calling the fruit a national treasure.
“Pakistani mangoes are among the best in the world,” he said. “They represent not just agricultural excellence, but also the warmth and hospitality of our people.”
Pakistan is currently the sixth-largest mango producer globally, cultivating around 1.8 million metric tons annually, he noted.
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Mary Bischoping, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the US State Department, was among the featured speakers.
She expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries.
“For decades, the United States and Pakistan have worked together on critical global challenges,” Bischoping said. “As we look ahead, we are optimistic about expanding our cooperation across shared priorities.”
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She also praised Pakistan’s growing trade and investment ambitions, particularly in sectors like critical minerals, and reaffirmed Washington’s interest in fostering stronger commercial ties.
Highlighting the role of the Pakistani-American community, Bischoping noted, “With over 700,000 Pakistani-Americans contributing across industries, their dedication and talent enrich American society and our diplomacy directly benefits from their insight and service.”
The festival featured a colorful display of mango varieties, tastings, and cultural exhibits celebrating Pakistan’s heritage.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
