ISLAMABAD
\nChairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday said that Pakistan\u2019s relations with the United States constitute an important pillar of its foreign policy, underlining the longstanding and broad-based partnership between the two countries.
\n\u201cOur bilateral relationship is on an upward trajectory, and it is important to maintain the current positive momentum,\u201d Chairman Senate said during a meeting with Natalie Baker, Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires of the US Embassy, at the Parliament House.
\nHe said that mutual trust, respect, and shared interests should be the defining principles of Pakistan-US relations. \u201cWe wish to further deepen and broaden this relationship,\u201d he said, calling for enhanced people-to-people contacts and increased interaction at political, parliamentary, business, education, and cultural levels.
\nGilani highlighted Pakistan\u2019s efforts to encourage US companies to explore new areas for investment, noting that the United States remains Pakistan\u2019s largest export market. \u201cWe are keen to diversify our bilateral trade relationship with the US, with a special focus on boosting trade and business cooperation,\u201d he said.
\nReferring to regional dynamics, the Chairman Senate affirmed Pakistan\u2019s desire for better and constructive relations with all neighboring countries, despite prevailing bilateral challenges.
\nRecalling his tenure as Prime Minister, Gilani mentioned his official visit to the United States in July 2008 and productive meetings with then-President George W. Bush. He also noted his discussions with President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, which further strengthened bilateral ties.
\nHe commended the United States for its contributions as an important economic and development partner and emphasized the need to diversify cooperation in areas such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, energy transition, water management, climate-smart agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and waste management.
\nGilani also highlighted the strong defense partnership between the two countries, particularly Pakistan\u2019s role as a frontline state during the global war on terror.
\n\u201cWe must continue to explore new avenues for trade and investment, leveraging our unique strengths to drive growth and innovation,\u201d he said.
\nHe welcomed the new US administration under President Donald Trump and expressed hope for further improvement in bilateral relations under the new government. Gilani also appreciated US assistance in Pakistan\u2019s flood relief and other humanitarian efforts.
\nThe Chairman Senate acknowledged the vibrant role of the Pakistani diaspora in the US and underscored the importance of educational exchanges in fostering mutual understanding.
\nReiterating Pakistan\u2019s commitment to constructive engagement, he expressed optimism for sustained diplomatic collaboration and deeper cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
\nCharg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires Natalie Baker thanked Chairman Senate Gilani for the warm welcome. She affirmed that Pakistan remains an important partner of the United States and conveyed President Trump\u2019s appreciation for Pakistan\u2019s role in counter-terrorism efforts.
\nShe lauded Gilani\u2019s leadership in promoting peace and stability, describing him as a \u201cchampion of peace.\u201d Baker also emphasized the need to broaden trade and economic ties and extended her best wishes to the Chairman Senate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday said that Pakistan\u2019s relations with the United States constitute an important pillar of its foreign policy, underlining the longstanding and broad-based partnership between the two countries. \u201cOur bilateral relationship is on an upward trajectory, and it is important to maintain the current positive momentum,\u201d Chairman Senate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":468953,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-468936","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n