The interactive session enabled the NDU delegation to explore Pakistan’s perspectives on global and regional challenges, reinforcing the importance of sustained dialogue between the two nations
Economic Ties Anchor New Era of Pakistan-US Partnership: Amb Sheikh
By Elaine Pasquini
Washington, DC: A delegation from Pakistan’s National Defence University (NDU) was hosted by Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, at a program at the Pakistan Embassy on May 13, 2025.
The contingent comprising senior civilian and military officers recently concluded their mandatory National Security and War Course at the NDU. Senior representatives from the US’s Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA), headquartered in Washington, DC, accompanied the group.
Ambassador Sheikh congratulated the students on successfully completing their leadership course designed to prepare civil and military officers for higher responsibilities in their respective professional domains.
Interacting with the delegation, the ambassador emphasized the deep-rooted relationship between Pakistan and the United States, which began with a letter from President Truman to Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on August 15, 1947, expressing a desire for cordial ties. He underscored Pakistan’s enduring geopolitical significance, driven by its strategic location and its status as the world’s fifth-largest population, projected to become the third-largest by 2050.
Reflecting on the US-Pakistan partnership, Ambassador Sheikh highlighted its resilience over the past seven decades. He noted Pakistan’s role as a frontline state in combating terrorism and addressing climate change, referencing the devastating 2022 floods that submerged one-third of the country.
With respect to the economy, the ambassador stressed that the United States remained Pakistan’s largest trading partner, with significant potential for collaboration in critical minerals and agriculture.
Addressing recent tensions between Pakistan and India, Ambassador Sheikh appreciated the timely US intervention that facilitated a ceasefire and de-escalation. However, he cautioned, the current ceasefire is fragile and urged continued international engagement, including from the United States, to address the underlying issues in the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the Indus Water Treaty, warning against unilateral actions that threaten regional stability and food security.
The ambassador advocated for a stand-alone strategic partnership with the United States, rooted in mutual interests and Pakistan’s contributions to regional stability. He highlighted Pakistan’s youthful population and technological potential as key assets for future cooperation.
The interactive session enabled the NDU delegation to explore Pakistan’s perspectives on global and regional challenges, reinforcing the importance of sustained dialogue between the two nations.
(Elaine Pasquini is a freelance journalist. Her reports appear in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs and Nuze.Ink.)
