Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Friday that Islamabad and Washington are “very close” to sealing a major bilateral trade deal, a development that could reshape US-Pakistan economic relations in the coming days. The announcement follows high-level meetings in the US capital between Dar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focused on expanding partnerships in trade, minerals, and security.
Addressing policy experts at the Atlantic Council, Dar declared, “It’s not going to be months, not even weeks, I would say (just) days” before the agreement is finalised. While Pakistan signaled optimism, the US State Department issued a more measured statement, emphasizing the importance of increased cooperation but withholding any timeline or confirmation of a finalized pact.
The dialogue comes at a pivotal moment, following a period of escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. An April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 dead, including several tourists, triggered heavy cross-border hostilities. India launched retaliatory strikes on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7, targeting groups like The Resistance Front, linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and since designated a terror organisation by the US.
The region hovered on the brink of a broader conflict before a ceasefire was declared on May 10. Pakistan’s foreign ministry went on record to “appreciate the pivotal role” of both former President Donald Trump and Secretary Rubio in defusing the crisis, a characterisation the US has been cautious to publicly endorse. India, for its part, has consistently asserted that all disputes with Pakistan must be resolved bilaterally, rejecting third-party intervention.
Beyond ceasefire diplomacy, Friday’s talks also
signaled Washington’s intent to deepen economic ties with Pakistan, particularly in strategic sectors like critical minerals and mining areas now deemed vital to global supply chains. Amid these advances, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to regional counterterror efforts, with Islamabad also slated to host a US-Pakistan counterterror dialogue next month.
As Islamabad positions itself as a regional player willing to engage on both security and economic fronts, the outcome of ongoing US-Pakistan negotiations could mark a new chapter. While cautious optimism prevails, much hinges on the details of the emerging trade deal, its implementation, and whether it can withstand the region’s volatile politics.
