This year marks the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Pakistan diplomatic relations. “For decades,” said Secretary Blinken, “we in the United States have been enriched by the culture of Pakistan.”
Abroad, Pakistan and the United States have worked together to complete significant development projects like the Mangla and Tarbela dams, which at one time provided some 70 percent of Pakistan’s power. Both nations launched the Lahore University for Management Sciences, which is training the next generation of business leaders.
“We continue to work closely on counterterrorism issues,” noted Secretary Blinken.
“We have a shared stake in Afghanistan’s future after two decades of war. We’ve had our differences; that’s no secret. But we share a common objective: a more stable, a more peaceful, and free future for all of Afghanistan and for those across the broader region. We’ll continue to work together toward that end as well as support the basic human rights of the Afghan people, especially women and girls.”
In recent discussions, Secretary Blinken urged Pakistan to responsibly manage its relationship with India. He also stressed the importance of upholding core values like respect for freedom of religion, belief, freedom of expression.
The United States and Pakistan continue to deepen their economic relationship, said Secretary Blinken:
One of the most important ways to spur economic growth and prosperity is, for example, through empowering women and girls and ensuring that they can participate fully in the economy. That’s the way not only to help them reach their full potential but to help the economy in the country reach its.”
This year commemorates the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-Pakistan Women’s Council, a public-private partnership between the State Department and Texas A&M University that fosters cooperation between corporations and civil society to advance women’s empowerment in Pakistan.
“We also both believe deeply that at the heart of our relationship are our people-to-people ties,” said Secretary Blinken.
“Ultimately, it’s connections like these that give me the most hope for the future of this relationship. Our people learn with and from one another so that we can make both of our countries better and deliver even more effectively for our people.”
Secretary Blinken expressed hope that “an even brighter future lies ahead” for U.S.-Pakistan relations.
