News Desk |
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has said that United States hopes to rebuild its once-close relationship with Pakistan on the commitments made during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to the White House last month.
In a bid to raise the possibility of reviving bilateral ties, Secretary Pompeo said that PM Khan’s visit has already laid the foundation for expanding bilateral trade, which could bring prosperity to both countries.
In his visit to US in July, PM Khan had a one-to-one meeting with US President Donald Trump as well as a series of meetings at the White House between senior aides of the two leaders. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, as well as the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence, had participated in the meetings, as did their US counterparts, including the CIA chief.
Secretary Pompeo’s Message on Pakistan’s Independence Day
Usually, the secretary’s office releases formal and pre-drafted statements on important occasions. However, on Pakistan’s Independence Day, Secretary Pompeo issued a message to the Pakistani nation, mentioning “the enormous potential” of expanding bilateral trade.
Washington is looking for a dignified exit after a nearly two-decade-long war in Afghanistan, which has dragged more and more US troops into the conflict.
Typically, such messages do not go much beyond expressing good wishes for the nation celebrating its independence but Pompeo availed the opportunity to raise the possibility of reviving bilateral ties.
“Over the years, the United States and Pakistan have achieved much when we have worked together in partnership”, he recalled, adding “we hope to build on the important commitments made during the recent visit by Prime Minister Imran Khan and senior leaders of the government of Pakistan and deepen our vital efforts to promote regional stability and peace”.
While extending “warmest greetings to the people of Pakistan”, Pompeo said that “we also hope to tap into the enormous potential of the US-Pakistan trade relationship, delivering greater prosperity to both our countries and further strengthening the bonds between our peoples”.
Read more: Imran Khan defeated Indian agenda: US-Pak relations reestablished
The statement came in reference to a promise that President Trump made during a joint news conference with the prime minister, that of expanding bilateral trade “by 20 times”, if possible.
US Says PM Khan ‘Incredibly Crucial’ for Afghan Peace Deal
Earlier, on August 9, US had said that PM Khan is “incredibly crucial” in helping Washington to sign a peace deal in the war-torn Afghanistan.
While acknowledging the importance of Islamabad in the ongoing Afghan reconciliation process, the US State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus had said: “Prime Minister Khan is going to be incredibly crucial in helping us with these – with this peace deal and with this peace negotiation that continues”.
The statement from the Taliban had come just a day after PM Khan had completed the ‘successful’ visit to US. During his visit, Afghan endgame had remained on top of the agenda.
During a press briefing, the US state department spokesperson had said that “when he [PM Khan] was here in Washington, the President and the Secretary alluded to that as well, how important that relationship will be in helping us pursue peace in Afghanistan.”
It is relevant to note that PM Khan had earlier said that he had assured US President Donald Trump that Pakistan would do ‘whatever is in its power to facilitate the Afghan peace process’. He had also said that he would meet the Afghan Taliban to convince them for a peace deal.
Washington is looking for a dignified exit after a nearly two-decade-long war in Afghanistan, which has dragged more and more US troops into the conflict.
Taliban Ready for Talks
Earlier, the Afghan Taliban had said that they were ready to send their delegation to Pakistan for a meeting with PM Khan if Islamabad decides to extend a formal invitation.
Read more: Afghan Taliban & Kabul Govt. show willingness to talk: FM Qureshi
The statement from the Taliban had come just a day after PM Khan had completed the ‘successful’ visit to US. During his visit, Afghan endgame had remained on top of the agenda.