‘Indispensable, not a matter of choice’: Pakistan’s envoy on Pak-US ties

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Washington: Against the backdrop of the recent thaw in Pakistan-US relations, Islamabad’s Ambassador to Washington Rizwan Saeed Sheikh highlighted a strategic reset in bilateral relations, while terming them “inevitable”.

Speaking at a panel discussion on “The Future of US-Pakistan Relations” at the upcoming Security Forum in Washington, “Good relations between the two mega-nations—both today and tomorrow—are not a matter of choice or preference. They are inevitable.”

Reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to diplomacy, stability, and pragmatic economic policies, the envoy emphasized the depth and continuity of the bilateral partnership and said that Pakistan and the United States have shared a long-standing and fruitful relationship, marked by mutual cooperation on critical global challenges, including counter-terrorism and climate change.

The 11th Annual Future Security Forum was organized by Arizona State University and New America in partnership with Security & Defense Plus. The program brought together senior policymakers, defense experts, and thought leaders to discuss emerging global security dynamics.

He thanked the US leadership, particularly President Trump, for facilitating the ceasefire that ended the 88-hour standoff, calling it “an important act that prevented 1.7 billion people from growing into a nuclear neighborhood.”

Climate change, India-Pakistan relations, Indian illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), China-Pakistan relations, Ukraine conflict, and regional tensions with Afghanistan, Ambassador Shaikh to deal with a wide range of issues including regional tensions with diplomats, and regional tensions with the embassy.

He spoke at length about Pakistan’s climate resilience and self-reliance. He said that climate change is not an abstract concept but an existential crisis for Pakistan.

The ambassador described the country’s repeated cycles of catastrophic flooding, explaining new phenomena such as cloudbursts and compounding, sequential climate disasters that have destroyed infrastructure, altered economic benefits, and disrupted development programs.

Shaikh stressed that Pakistan’s diplomacy today is deeply linked to climate policy and economic security, noting that “every few years what we build is washed away by floods, but we still have to repay the debt that was taken to rebuild.”

Reiterating Pakistan’s principled position on the IIOJK, he called for international mediation to help the Kashmiri people realize their right to self-determination in accordance with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, and stressed that peace in South Asia was contingent on the resolution of the long-standing conflict.

Rejecting “camp politics”, Pakistan’s foreign policy seeks balanced relations, he said. He asserted that Pakistan’s relations with Beijing are rooted in historical continuity and economic cooperation.

“There is no binary choice for us. Our relationship with China did not start yesterday, and it is not ending tomorrow,” he remarked, adding that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) should be seen through an economic lens as a facilitator of regional connectivity and prosperity.

He recalled Pakistan’s important role in promoting relations between the United States of America and China decades ago and expressed readiness to play a similar role today as an economic bridge for global peace and development.

Condemning cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan, Ambassador Shaikh said that Pakistan has suffered immensely in terrorism and will pay full attention to it.

However, he confirmed that diplomacy is Pakistan’s preferred approach to resolve bilateral issues with both Afghanistan and India.

“Diplomacy is our priority. Pakistan’s history shows that we always stand for diplomatic solutions,” confirmed the ambassador.

On the issue of Afghan refugees, Ambassador Shaikh clarified that only undocumented or illegal residents are being repatriated and Pakistan wants to ensure their return with dignity.

He further said that according to international practice, visas across the Pak-Afghan border should be visa-based.

Regarding the ongoing Ukraine conflict, he acknowledged and welcomed the US-led peace efforts led by President Trump, expressing hope for their success.

Ambassador Shaikh concluded by thanking the organizers of the forum and engaging the audience in a constructive question-and-answer session, highlighting Pakistan’s enduring commitment to global peace, dialogue, and mutual respect in international relations.