US Secretary of State Marco Rubio marked Pakistan’s Independence Day on Thursday by signalling Washington’s interest in partnering with Islamabad on critical minerals and hydrocarbons.
In a statement released by the US Department of State, Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended greetings to the people of Pakistan on August 14th.
“The United States deeply appreciates Pakistan’s engagement on counterterrorism and trade,” Rubio said, adding that Washington looked forward to “exploring new areas of economic cooperation, including critical minerals and hydrocarbons, and fostering dynamic business partnerships which will promote a prosperous future for Americans and Pakistanis.”
Last month, Washington and Islamabad announced a trade agreement that Pakistan said would lower tariffs and attract fresh investment.
Pakistan's Commerce Minister Jam Kamal said the deal would open doors for U.S. firms to invest in mining projects—primarily in the resource-rich southwestern province of Balochistan—through joint ventures with local companies, offering incentives such as lease grants.
The United States and Pakistan held a fresh round of counterterrorism talks in Islamabad on Tuesday, with Washington noting it classifies the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army as a “foreign terrorist organization.”
Trade and energy ties warming
On July 31, Donald Trump unveiled two major moves within hours: a 25% tariff and additional penalties on Indian imports, followed by a new trade agreement with Pakistan to jointly develop its oil reserves.
The tariff on India was framed by Trump as a response to what he called an “unfair trade imbalance” and New Delhi’s continued oil purchases from Russia.
“BRICS, which is basically a group of countries that are anti the United States and India is a member of that if you can believe it... It is an attack on the dollar and we are not going to let anybody attack the dollar. So it’s partially BRICS and it’s partially trade,” he told reporters.
Hours later, Trump used his Truth Social platform to announce a US-Pakistan oil partnership.
“We have just concluded a Deal with the Country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive Oil Reserves… Who knows, maybe they’ll be selling Oil to India some day!” he wrote.
While no oil companies or timelines have been named, the deal represents a rare moment of trade optimism between Washington and Islamabad, long defined by security concerns and regional frictions.
It also follows Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s remarks from July that a trade pact was “very close” after talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which included discussions on cooperation in minerals and mining.
US officials see Pakistan as a key non-NATO ally, and the new energy focus appears to dovetail with Washington’s strategic aim of countering Chinese influence in the region.
Military diplomacy in overdrive
Notably, Pakistan’s Army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was in Washington as recently as August 10, his second visit to the United States in less than two months.
Munir latest trip followed a June tour during which he attended a private luncheon with President Donald Trump, an honour typically reserved for visiting heads of state, which culminated in the announcement of expanded cooperation, including a US-Pakistan oil partnership.
According to the Pakistan Army, Munir’s August visit included high-level meetings with senior US political and military leaders as well as engagements with the Pakistani diaspora.
In Tampa, he attended the retirement ceremony of outgoing US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief General Michael E. Kurilla and the change-of-command event for Admiral Brad Cooper. He lauded Kurilla’s “exemplary leadership” in strengthening bilateral defence ties and voiced confidence in continued collaboration under Cooper.
Munir also met Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, inviting him to visit Pakistan, and held discussions with defence chiefs from other allied nations. In a diaspora address, he urged overseas Pakistanis to help attract investment, with attendees pledging their support for the country’s development.
(With inputs from agencies)
In a statement released by the US Department of State, Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended greetings to the people of Pakistan on August 14th.
“The United States deeply appreciates Pakistan’s engagement on counterterrorism and trade,” Rubio said, adding that Washington looked forward to “exploring new areas of economic cooperation, including critical minerals and hydrocarbons, and fostering dynamic business partnerships which will promote a prosperous future for Americans and Pakistanis.”
Last month, Washington and Islamabad announced a trade agreement that Pakistan said would lower tariffs and attract fresh investment.
Pakistan's Commerce Minister Jam Kamal said the deal would open doors for U.S. firms to invest in mining projects—primarily in the resource-rich southwestern province of Balochistan—through joint ventures with local companies, offering incentives such as lease grants.
The United States and Pakistan held a fresh round of counterterrorism talks in Islamabad on Tuesday, with Washington noting it classifies the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army as a “foreign terrorist organization.”
Trade and energy ties warming
On July 31, Donald Trump unveiled two major moves within hours: a 25% tariff and additional penalties on Indian imports, followed by a new trade agreement with Pakistan to jointly develop its oil reserves.
The tariff on India was framed by Trump as a response to what he called an “unfair trade imbalance” and New Delhi’s continued oil purchases from Russia.
“BRICS, which is basically a group of countries that are anti the United States and India is a member of that if you can believe it... It is an attack on the dollar and we are not going to let anybody attack the dollar. So it’s partially BRICS and it’s partially trade,” he told reporters.
Hours later, Trump used his Truth Social platform to announce a US-Pakistan oil partnership.
“We have just concluded a Deal with the Country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive Oil Reserves… Who knows, maybe they’ll be selling Oil to India some day!” he wrote.
While no oil companies or timelines have been named, the deal represents a rare moment of trade optimism between Washington and Islamabad, long defined by security concerns and regional frictions.
It also follows Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s remarks from July that a trade pact was “very close” after talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which included discussions on cooperation in minerals and mining.
US officials see Pakistan as a key non-NATO ally, and the new energy focus appears to dovetail with Washington’s strategic aim of countering Chinese influence in the region.
Military diplomacy in overdrive
Notably, Pakistan’s Army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was in Washington as recently as August 10, his second visit to the United States in less than two months.
Munir latest trip followed a June tour during which he attended a private luncheon with President Donald Trump, an honour typically reserved for visiting heads of state, which culminated in the announcement of expanded cooperation, including a US-Pakistan oil partnership.
According to the Pakistan Army, Munir’s August visit included high-level meetings with senior US political and military leaders as well as engagements with the Pakistani diaspora.
In Tampa, he attended the retirement ceremony of outgoing US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief General Michael E. Kurilla and the change-of-command event for Admiral Brad Cooper. He lauded Kurilla’s “exemplary leadership” in strengthening bilateral defence ties and voiced confidence in continued collaboration under Cooper.
Munir also met Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, inviting him to visit Pakistan, and held discussions with defence chiefs from other allied nations. In a diaspora address, he urged overseas Pakistanis to help attract investment, with attendees pledging their support for the country’s development.
(With inputs from agencies)
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