In a major address in Washington, D.C., Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has reinforced Islamabad’s dedication to diplomatic engagement, regional stability, and pragmatic economic governance, while underscoring the critical importance of the bilateral relationship with the United States.
A Partnership Deemed “Indispensable” for the Future
Speaking at a panel on “The Future of the US-Pakistan Relationship” during the Future Security Forum 2025, Ambassador Sheikh framed strong ties as an essential requirement. “Between the two mega countries of today and tomorrow — from both a present and a futuristic perspective — good relations are not a matter of choice or preference; they are indispensable,” he stated. He highlighted the long-standing and consequential nature of the partnership, which has included collaboration on pressing global issues such as counterterrorism and climate change. The forum was organized by Arizona State University and New America in partnership with Security & Defence PLuS.
Confronting an Existential Climate Crisis
A significant portion of the ambassador’s remarks focused on climate change, which he described not as an abstract concern but as an existential crisis for Pakistan. He detailed the country’s cycles of devastating floods, pointing to new phenomena like cloudbursts and sequential climate disasters that destroy infrastructure, reverse economic progress, and disrupt development. Sheikh emphasized that climate policy is now deeply integrated with Pakistan’s diplomacy and economic security, noting the heavy burden of rebuilding from repeated disasters. “What we build every few years is washed away by floods, but we still must pay back what we borrowed to rebuild,” he said.
A Principled Stance on Regional and Global Issues
Ambassador Sheikh addressed a wide array of regional dynamics, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to balanced and principled foreign policy. On Kashmir, he reiterated Pakistan’s position, calling for international mediation to help Kashmiris realize their right to self-determination as per UN Security Council resolutions and stating that South Asian peace is contingent on a resolution. He rejected “camp politics,” asserting that Pakistan’s deep-rooted ties with China, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), are based on economic cooperation and historical continuity, not a binary choice against other partners. “Our relationship with China didn’t start yesterday, and it is not ending tomorrow,” he remarked. He also expressed Pakistan’s readiness to serve as an economic bridge for global peace, recalling its past role in facilitating US-China rapprochement.
Diplomacy as the Preferred Path Forward
On security issues, the ambassador condemned cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, stating that Pakistan has suffered immensely from terrorism and will address it resolutely. However, he firmly stated that diplomacy remains Pakistan’s preferred tool for resolving issues with both Afghanistan and India. “Diplomacy is our preference. Pakistan’s history shows we have always stood for diplomatic solutions,” he affirmed. Regarding Afghan refugees, he clarified that Pakistan is focusing on the repatriation of undocumented individuals in a dignified manner and advocates for visa-based border movement as per international norms. He also acknowledged and welcomed U.S.-led peace efforts in the Ukraine conflict under President Trump’s administration. The ambassador concluded by thanking the forum organizers and engaging in a constructive dialogue with the audience, reinforcing Pakistan’s commitment to global peace and mutual respect.
