Latest news with #SecRubio
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Dar, Rubio discuss trade tariffs in phone call
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) and DPM Ishaq Dar (Right). Photo: File Listen to article Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio late Monday, during which they discussed bilateral issues, including trade tariffs. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, following their productive meeting last Friday in Washington DC, the two leaders continued their discussions on vital bilateral matters, including trade tariffs, which are pivotal to enhancing economic ties between Pakistan and the United States. They also addressed pressing regional and global concerns of mutual interest, reflecting the ongoing cooperation between the two nations, the statement added. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, spoke to the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio @SecRubio on telephone today. Following up on their productive meeting last Friday in Washington D.C., they discussed key bilateral matters,… — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 28, 2025 Last week, Dar held talks with Rubio in Washington in their first face-to-face meeting at the State Department, following several telephonic conversations. During meeting, he told the US secretary of state that Pakistan sought an 'expanded and stable' bilateral relationship with Washington, highlighting the 'strong convergences' between the two sides on several issues. A statement issued by the Foreign Office said that upon his arrival at the State Department, Dar was received by senior US officials. Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh accompanied him during the visit. Senior officials from both sides also joined the delegation-level talks. The discussions focused on bilateral relations and prospects for cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, technology, and minerals. Read More: Dar seeks 'stable relationship' with US Both sides reviewed the progress in the ongoing Pakistan-US trade dialogue, expressing optimism over positive developments. Dar highlighted Pakistan as an attractive destination for US businesses and investors. On regional security, the leaders discussed counterterrorism cooperation and broader peace efforts. Dar lauded President Donald Trump and the US leadership for their efforts to promote global peace, particularly appreciating the President's role amid recent Pakistan-India tensions. Secretary Rubio acknowledged Pakistan's sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and appreciated its positive role in promoting regional and global peace. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's desire for expanded and stable bilateral relations, underscoring that there is a strong convergence of views and shared interests between the two countries on regional peace and stability. He also appreciated the role of the Pakistani-American community as a 'bridge' between the two nations.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Rubio says US officials are in Malaysia to help in Cambodia-Thailand mediation talks
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that State Department officials have reached Malaysia to assist in peace talks between Cambodia and Thailand, who have been involved in an armed conflict since last week, in an attempt to broker a ceasefire with talks scheduled to begin on Monday. In a statement released by the State Department late on Sunday, Rubio said he was involved in a discussion with US President Donald Trump and their respective counterparts for Thailand and Cambodia and the two were closely monitoring the situation in Southeast Asia. 'We want this conflict to end as soon as possible. State Department officials are on the ground in Malaysia to assist these peace efforts,' Rubio said on Sunday. Cambodia and Thailand are scheduled to begin high level talks in Malaysia shortly in hopes of achieving an immediate ceasefire. State Department officials are on the ground in Malaysia to assist these peace efforts. Both @POTUS and I remain engaged with our respective… — Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) July 27, 2025 The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia are scheduled to attend mediation talks in Malaysia on Monday over their deadly border conflict, the Thai government has said, as both the warring nations accused each other of launching strikes over contested areas around the border. On Sunday, the Thai government said a delegation led by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai would attend the truce talks, after President Trump called up the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia on Saturday to push for an immediate ceasefire. The Thai government added that Malaysia has said Cambodian Prime Minister Hum Manet would also attend the talks. A brief border skirmish which led to the killing of a Cambodian soldier in late May has triggered tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Last week, troops at the border on both sides were reinforced amid a diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's coalition government, which is already fragile, to the brink of a collapse. The violent conflict has led to the killing of 30 people, including 13 civilians in Thailand and eight in Cambodia. More than 200,000 people have been evacuated from the border areas. Trump on Sunday told the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia that he would not conclude the trade deals with them unless they ended their fighting.
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First Post
4 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Days after listing TRF as terror outfit, US praises Pakistan's role in 'counter terrorism'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed gratitude for 'Pakistan's partnership in countering terrorism and preserving regional stability' as he hosted Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar read more US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday (July 25) in Washington, lauding the latter for Islamabad's alleged role in 'counter terrorism operations'. The two leaders Friday gathered for 'comprehensive discussions aimed at bolstering US-Pakistan relations, enhancing trade ties, and addressing regional security challenges,' according to their statements to the press. In a post on X, Rubio expressed gratitude for 'Pakistan's partnership in countering terrorism and preserving regional stability' and highlighted the focus of their talks on 'expanding bilateral trade and fostering deeper cooperation in the critical minerals and mining sectors.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Met with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister @MIshaqDar50 today to discuss expanding bilateral trade and enhancing collaboration in the critical minerals sector. I also thanked him for Pakistan's partnership in countering terrorism and preserving regional… — Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) July 25, 2025 US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that Rubio commended 'Pakistan's continued willingness to play a constructive role in mediating conversations with Iran and its commitment to preserving regional stability.' The leaders also explored preparations for the upcoming US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue, scheduled for August in Islamabad, with a focus on strengthening joint efforts against terrorist groups like ISIS-K to enhance regional security. Rubio underscored the need for 'expanding mutually beneficial bilateral trade' and exploring opportunities for collaboration in the minerals sector, which is increasingly vital due to global demand for critical resources. According to Arab News, Dar's eight-day US visit includes chairing several United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meetings, as Pakistan holds the rotating presidency this month. TRF's designation as terror outfit The meeting follows Rubio's recent announcement that the US will designate The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy for the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as both a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The TRF had claimed responsibility for the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which resulted in 26 deaths.
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First Post
4 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Pakistan says trade deal with US will be finalised in 'few days' but Washington gives no timeline
While Dar asserted that a trade deal between the two countries would take 'just a few days', Rubio did not mention a timeline. The US State Department and Pakistan's foreign ministry said the two stressed in their discussion the importance of expanding trade and ties in critical minerals and mining read more Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that the country is 'very close' to securing a trade deal with the US, although the US has made no such announcement. Dar's comment came after he held a bilateral meeting with US State Secretary Marco Rubio on Friday. 'I think we are very close to finalising a deal with US. Our teams have been here in Washington, discussing, having virtual meetings and a committee has been tasked by the prime minister to fine-tune now,' the foreign minister said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Dar asserted that a trade deal between the two countries would take 'just a few days', Rubio did not mention a timeline. The US State Department and Pakistan's foreign ministry, in separate statements after Rubio's meeting with Dar, said the two stressed in their discussion the importance of expanding trade and ties in critical minerals and mining. A post by Rubio on X after the meeting and the State Department's statement mentioned no timeline for finalising a trade deal. Met with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister @MIshaqDar50 today to discuss expanding bilateral trade and enhancing collaboration in the critical minerals sector. I also thanked him for Pakistan's partnership in countering terrorism and preserving regional… — Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) July 25, 2025 Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has said that India and the US are finalising the 'first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).' Replying to a question posed by the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, MEA said that trade teams from both the nations are currently engaged in negotiations on the BTA and discussions are 'aimed at adopting an integrated approach to further strengthen and deepen bilateral trade relations, including through enhanced mutual market access, reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers, and closer integration of supply chains.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US President Donald Trump, similarly, said earlier this month that his administration is 'very close' to finalising a trade deal with India. 'We're very close to a deal with India where they open it [the market] up.'
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Pakistan says it's close to US trade deal, Washington gives no timeline
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday the United States and Pakistan were 'very close' to a trade deal that could come within days, but comments from the US after Dar met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned no timeline. 'I think we are very close to finalizing a deal with US Our teams have been here in Washington, discussing, having virtual meetings and a committee has been tasked by the prime minister to fine-tune now,' Dar said in a discussion at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington. 'It's not going to be months, not even weeks, I would say (just) days,' he said. Under US President Donald Trump, Washington has attempted to renegotiate trade agreements with many countries that he threatened with tariffs over what he calls unfair trade relations. Many economists dispute Trump's characterization. The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, met with the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio @SecRubio, today in Washington D.C. The two sides acknowledged the positive trajectory of the Pak-U.S. bilateral relations. They discussed and… — Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 25, 2025 The US State Department and Pakistan's foreign ministry, in separate statements after Rubio's meeting with Dar, said the two stressed in their discussion the importance of expanding trade and ties in critical minerals and mining. A post by Rubio on X after the meeting and the State Department's statement mentioned no timeline for finalizing a trade deal. Met with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister @MIshaqDar50 today to discuss expanding bilateral trade and enhancing collaboration in the critical minerals sector. I also thanked him for Pakistan's partnership in countering terrorism and preserving regional… — Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) July 25, 2025 The Pakistan foreign ministry also said Dar 'appreciated the pivotal role' by Trump and Rubio 'in de-escalating tensions between Pakistan and India by facilitating a ceasefire.' The State Department statement did not mention India. Trump has repeatedly taken credit for the India-Pakistan ceasefire he announced on social media on May 10 after Washington held talks with both sides. India disputes Trump's claims that the ceasefire resulted from his intervention and trade threats. India's position is that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve problems directly with no outside involvement. The April 22 terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 civilians, sparling heavy cross-border fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbors in the latest escalation of a decades-old rivalry. India struck Pakistan on May 7 under 'Operation Sindoor' and the two nations exchanged hostilities, killing dozens across three days. The ceasefire was declared on May 10. New Delhi blamed the April attack on Pakistan, which denied responsibility and called for a neutral investigation. Washington condemned the attack but did not blame Islamabad.
