New York (TDI): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with both China and the United States, stressing that its partnership with Washington should not be seen through the lens of its close relations with Beijing.
Speaking to members of the Pakistani community at the Consulate General in New York, Dar said that Pakistan had come out of a phase of diplomatic isolation and was now regaining its standing on the global stage. He pointed to signs of economic recovery, adding that the country’s foreign policy was now more focused, pragmatic, and globally engaged.
He called on international organizations, particularly the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to take real and effective action on long-standing conflicts such as Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir. “These are not just regional issues; they are flashpoints that threaten global peace,” Dar remarked. He urged the OIC to move beyond symbolic statements and adopt a more assertive and proactive role.
On the issue of Palestine, he reiterated Pakistan’s support for a two-state solution, calling it the only path toward a just and lasting peace.
Dar also welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2788, passed unanimously during Pakistan’s presidency of the council, which focuses on bolstering peaceful mechanisms to resolve global disputes. He described the resolution as a significant diplomatic success for Pakistan.
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Touching upon Pakistan-India ties, Dar reiterated Islamabad’s openness to dialogue, provided there was genuine willingness from New Delhi. “We believe that resolving the Kashmir dispute could pave the way for economic cooperation, increased tourism, and regional stability,” he said. He also noted Pakistan’s readiness to accept US mediation, but emphasized that such efforts would require India’s agreement.
“If the United States takes an active role, a resolution on Kashmir is not out of reach,” Dar added, while also expressing optimism about a potential visit from US President Donald Trump, though he clarified that any official announcement would come jointly from both governments.
Recalling Pakistan’s firm response during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, Dar said the country had successfully defended its sovereignty and downed six Indian fighter jets. He praised the unity shown by both citizens and overseas Pakistanis during that challenging time.
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Addressing recent Indian accusations, Dar rejected claims linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack in April. He said that the group Lashkar-e-Taiba had already been dismantled and pointed out that no credible evidence had been shared by the US or India regarding the so-called “The Resistance Front” (TRF), which New Delhi blames for the incident.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
