Ambassador Sheikh: strong ties with the United States are essential 🇵🇰🇺🇸
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, told a Washington forum that good relations between Islamabad and Washington are not optional — they are essential for regional stability and global cooperation. Speaking at the Future Security Forum 2025, hosted by Arizona State University and New America, Sheikh argued that Pakistan-US cordial ties underpin efforts on counterterrorism, climate resilience and economic recovery. For details on the forum see the organisers’ page. New America / Future Security Forum.
Rejecting ‘camp politics’
Ambassador Sheikh rejected any notion of forced alignments, stressing Pakistan’s preference for balanced relations. “There is no binary choice for us,” he said, underlining that Pakistan’s ties with China reflect long-term historical and economic links rather than a sudden pivot. He asked international audiences to view projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) through an economic and connectivity lens rather than a geopolitical one. Regional reporting and the embassy note provide further context.
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Sheikh publicly thanked US leadership — naming President Trump in his remarks — for helping to end an 88-hour standoff, calling that intervention “a vital act” that prevented escalation in a densely populated nuclear neighbourhood. The ambassador framed this episode as an example of why Pakistan-US cordial ties are indispensable to avoid unintended conflict and to preserve regional peace. Independent coverage of the episode and diplomatic responses can be found in regional outlets.
Kashmir
On the Kashmir issue, Ambassador Sheikh reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing position: a durable solution requires international attention consistent with UN Security Council resolutions. He urged third-party facilitation as a pragmatic route to stability in South Asia, arguing that durable peace depends on addressing the core dispute. Radio Pakistan and other sources carry the ambassador’s appeal for UN-backed mediation.
Climate resilience as central to Pakistan’s diplomacy 🌧️
Sheikh described climate change as an existential crisis for Pakistan, recalling repeated cycles of catastrophic floods and new weather extremes that destroy infrastructure and reverse development gains. He said diplomacy and climate policy are now deeply intertwined: rebuilding requires finance, technology and policy support, and Pakistan-US cordial ties play a practical role in mobilising international climate assistance. For global climate funding frameworks, see UNFCCC.
Afghanistan, terrorism and border management 🔒
On Afghanistan, Sheikh condemned cross-border terrorism and underscored Islamabad’s determination to tackle militants while favouring diplomacy. He clarified Pakistan’s policy on refugees: only undocumented individuals are being repatriated, and Pakistan seeks orderly, dignified returns consistent with international norms. He also stressed that cross-border movement should be visa-based, in line with global practice. Regional reporting elaborates on Pakistan’s security and refugee approach.
Pakistan as a bridge between powers
Sheikh reminded the forum that Pakistan has previously played a role in easing US-China tensions and argued Islamabad could again act as an economic bridge. He positioned Pakistan’s external policy as geoeconomic — focused on trade, investment and connectivity — reinforcing that Pakistan-US cordial ties are indispensable to attract investment and deepen cooperation across sectors. More on Pakistan’s economic diplomacy is available from the embassy and Islamabad’s outreach briefs.
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Throughout his address, Ambassador Sheikh emphasised pragmatism: diplomacy, not confrontation, is Pakistan’s preferred instrument. He called for practical cooperation on climate finance, counterterrorism, trade and regional connectivity. By framing Pakistan-US cordial ties as indispensable, Sheikh sought to move public conversation from partisan geometry to policy outcomes that benefit both countries and the wider region. For event coverage and analysis see Geo and Dunya News.
Where to follow further updates 🔗
To track official statements and in-depth reporting, consult the Pakistan Embassy in Washington’s channels, coverage by reputable outlets like Reuters and Geo, and local analysis at NewsCloud. These sources publish statements, interviews and expert commentary on the evolving Pakistan-US relationship.
FAQs — Pakistan-US cordial ties
- Q: What did Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh say about Pakistan-US relations?
A: He said Pakistan-US cordial ties are indispensable for regional stability and global cooperation, stressing diplomacy and pragmatic engagement. - Q: Did Sheikh mention China-Pakistan ties?
A: Yes — he described Pakistan-China relations as historically rooted and emphasized CPEC as an economic connectivity project rather than a geopolitical tool. - Q: What was said about Kashmir?
A: The ambassador urged UN-backed mediation to find a durable solution in line with UN Security Council resolutions. - Q: How did Sheikh frame climate change?
A: He called climate change an existential crisis for Pakistan and linked climate resilience to diplomatic and financial cooperation. - Q: Where can I read the full remarks or event coverage?
A: Full event details and coverage are available on the Future Security Forum page and in reports by Geo, Dunya News and Reuters.
