Islamabad, 2 January, 2024 (GNP): In a significant diplomatic exchange, interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani held discussions with US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome on Tuesday, emphasizing the need to consolidate recent exchanges and enhance the momentum in bilateral relations.
The meeting, highlighted in a press release by the Foreign Office (FO), underscored the mutual commitment to furthering the positive trajectory in Pakistan-US relations.
Key topics included discussions on Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir’s recent visit to the United States, which played a pivotal role in advancing diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Foreign minister Jilani emphasized the importance of nurturing and expanding upon the recent exchanges, aiming to capitalize on the gained momentum for fostering deeper bilateral ties throughout 2024.
The US Ambassador to Pakistan, Donald Bloom, called on Foreign Minister @JalilJilani today. Discussions focused on some major aspects of bilateral relations including the recent visit of the Chief of Army Staff to the United States. The Foreign Minister underlined that in 2024,…
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) January 2, 2024
A separate statement from US Mission Acting Spokesperson Thomas Montgomery acknowledged the wide-ranging discussions between Ambassador Blome and foreign minister Jilani.
The talks encompassed expanded diplomatic engagement, the efficient processing of eligible Afghan citizens for resettlement in the United States, and other issues of mutual interest.
Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir’s recent visit to Washington marked a crucial milestone in bilateral relations. During this visit, General Munir engaged with key US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense General Lloyd J. Austin, Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q. Brown.
Discussions during these meetings centered on bilateral interests, global and regional security concerns, and ongoing conflicts. Both sides expressed their commitment to sustain engagement and explore potential avenues for bilateral collaboration in pursuit of shared interests.
General’s Munir’s meetings with Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander of the US Central Command (Centcom), also focused on enhancing cooperation in regional security matters, further emphasizing the commitment to bolstering stability and security in the region.
The discussions between Pakistan and the United States underscore a mutual desire to fortify bilateral relations and collaborate on regional issues, affirming their commitment to shared goals and interests.
