The talks between Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Zardari and American counterpart Antony Blinken have revived the relations between the two countries. This is a setback for Russia, which seemed to be getting closer under Imran Khan. Blinken also invited Pakistan to participate in the Ministerial Meeting on Global Food Security to be held in New York on May 18. The two leaders also agreed to keep in touch and enhance partnership on regional and global issues of mutual interest. This is the first interaction between the foreign ministers of the two countries since the formation of the new government in Pakistan last month.
At the same time, India has maintained a balance regarding its relations with Russia. Despite this, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Islamabad in April 2021 and promised to supply more specialized military equipment such as Mi-35M and Mi-17 helicopters to Pakistan in the name of fighting terrorism. Also Russia has conducted maritime exercises in the Arabian Sea with bilateral special forces since 2016, called the Arabian Monsoon.
Imran raised questions on Biden government
Pakistan and Russia want to deepen ties became clear when then-PM Imran arrived in Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2022, the day Moscow invaded Ukraine. On August 15, 2021, the US kept Pakistan out of the Democratic Conference for praising the Taliban’s capture of Kabul. Imran criticized the Biden administration for not involving Islamabad in Afghanistan’s issues.
‘Pakistan-US relations have a long-standing, comprehensive relationship’
After talks with Blinken, Bilawal said views were shared on various aspects of Pakistan-US relations. He said that Pakistan and the US have had extensive relations for a long time. He said that a meaningful and sustainable relationship between the two countries, based on mutual respect and mutual interests, is vital to promoting peace, development and security in and outside the region. He said that Pakistan’s vision is focused on human development, regional connectivity and peaceful relations with neighbours.