ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has said Pakistan’s relations with the United States constituted an important element of its foreign policy and Islamabad wanted to have a longstanding and broad-based relationship based on mutual trust and respect.

He expressed these views in a meeting with Natalie Bakar, Chargé d’Affaires of the US embassy in Islamabad, on Monday. He said our bilateral relationship is on the upward trajectory and it is important to maintain the current positive momentum. Mr Gilani observed, “Mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual interests should be the defining principles of this relationship. We wish to further deepen and broaden this relationship.”

He highlighted the significance of people-to-people contacts and called for enhanced interaction at different levels to promote understanding.

He said Pakistan highly values relations with United States and desires to further deepen the cooperation through exchange of delegations at political, parliamentary, business and education and people-to-people levels.

He said Pakistan is encouraging US companies to explore new areas for investment in Pakistan.

The US remains Pakistan’s largest export market and we are desirous of diversifying our trade relationship with the US. He also observed that Pakistan wants to have better and constructive relations with all regional countries despite challenges that afflict the region.

Mr Gilani also mentioned special endeavours made by him to augment US-Pakistan relations during his tenure as the prime minister.

He recalled visiting the US as the prime minister in July 2008 and having productive and cordial meetings with the US administration, especially the then President George W. Bush.

The Senate chairman also recalled having a very fruitful meeting with then US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of a nuclear summit in Seoul in 2012. He commended the US assistance and contributions as an important economic and developmental partner.

He underscored the need to diversify the relations while expressing the desire to work with US in diverse areas including climate change, mitigation and adaptation, energy transition, water management, climate smart agriculture biodiversity and waste management.

He welcomed the new US administration under President Donald Trump’s leadership.

Ms Natalie Bakar said Pakistan was an important country and President Trump had also appreciated Pakistan’s role in counter-terrorism efforts. She acknowledged Mr Gilani’s efforts for promoting peace and termed him a champion of peace. Ms Bakar also called for broadening trade and economic ties.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2025