Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday said that he had a "very productive" meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in New York as both reaffirmed the importance of the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-US relations and mutual commitment to strengthening broad-based and comprehensive ties.
"Had in-depth discussions on issues impacting regional peace and security including Afghanistan. Resolved to work together to meet the challenges of food and energy security," Bilawal wrote on his official Twitter handle soon after meeting his American counterpart.
Read more: Bilawal meets Blinken today to reset ties
Both leaders discussed ways for expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, climate change, health, education, IT, agriculture and the importance of trade over aid.
Had a very productive meeting with @SecBlinken in NY
We reaffirmed the importance of the 7️⃣5️⃣th Anniversary of 🇵🇰🇺🇸 relations and mutual commitment to strengthen broad based , comprehensive 🇵🇰🇺🇸 ties#PakUSAt75 pic.twitter.com/ne0ZotM95o
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) May 18, 2022
Bilawal, who is chairman of the PPP, reached New York a day earlier to participate in a ministerial meeting and debate at the United Nations Security Council on food security, besides holding a bilateral meeting with Blinken.
In his brief remarks to the media prior to their meeting, Secretary Blinken said that it was an important opportunity for them to talk about the many issues they were working on together.
“We want to focus on the work we’re doing to strengthen economic and commercial ties between the United States and Pakistan, of course, focused on regional security,” he remarked.
Blinken said Pakistan is now holding the chair of the G77 and the United States is looking forward to strengthening its own relations and open dialogue communication with the G77. He said he looked forward to speaking with FM Bilawal about that.
.@BBhuttoZardari and I reaffirmed our shared desire for a strong and prosperous U.S.-Pakistani bilateral relationship. I look forward to expanding our cooperation on climate, trade and investment, and regional peace and security issues. pic.twitter.com/bFhGZFsNxg
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 18, 2022
“This is our first opportunity to be face to face. We spoke on the phone, we are greatly pleased to be working with the foreign minister, with the government in Pakistan,” the Secretary of State said.
About the meeting on food security, he said it is a challenge faced by the world.
“There was a pre-existing condition as a world when it comes to food insecurity in many places. It’s been exacerbated dramatically by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, adding another 40 million people to those who are food insecure,” he commented.
He thanked Pakistan for participating in the meeting and engagement on the matter to look at concrete steps to address the food insecurity issues, and to help people in need around the world.
.@SecBlinken and Foreign Minister @BBhuttoZardari met today to discuss the importance of U.S.-Pakistan cooperation including on increasing Afghan stability, counterterrorism, expanding trade, and bringing together Pakistanis and Americans. #PakUSAt75 https://t.co/7V6MpGQb7S
— Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) May 18, 2022
In his remarks, FM Bilawal said that Pakistan desired to engage with the United States to create opportunities for American investors and Pakistani investors and Pakistani businessmen and American entrepreneurs to work together.
“I also look forward to the opportunity to increasing engagement between Pakistan and the United States, working with yourself and your administration, to improve trade relations between Pakistan and the United States… “I really look forward to working with you on both these issues,” he remarked.
Regarding the meeting on food security, he said: “This particular initiative is most welcome” and Pakistan looked forward to engaging on the series of events on global food security.
“We are aware that recent geopolitical events have indeed aggravated the situation and countries like Pakistan have already been facing challenges in food security, water security and energy security because of a whole host of issues ranging from climate change to issues in our neighbourhood,” Bilawal said.
This is the second interaction between the two counterparts as earlier they had spoken telephonically on May 6 after Bilawal had assumed the office.
Upon his arrival at the airport, Bilawal was received by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Masood Khan, Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador Aamir Khan, Consul General New York, Ayesha Ali and others, a report said.
The Foreign Office in Islamabad had said that the foreign minister was visiting New York for a ministerial meeting at the United Nations on Wednesday, where he would highlight Pakistan’s perspective and policy priorities on the issue of food security.
Also read: FM Bilawal to visit US on May 17
Last month, at a time when there are multiple challenges being faced on the external front, the country was bestowed with the youngest foreign minister who finally took oath as a federal minister for the first time.
The 33-year-old followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, Zulifkar Ali Bhutto, who became the foreign minister at the age of 35. He was administered the oath by President Arif Alvi while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and other members of the coalition government were in attendance.