WASHINGTON: Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Washington, has underscored the strategic importance of Islamabad’s relationship with the United States, calling it “indispensable” in today’s evolving global landscape.
“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,” Ambassador Sheikh said during a panel discussion titled “The Future of the US-Pakistan Relationship” at the Future Security Forum 2025 in Washington.
The 11th Annual Forum, jointly organised by Arizona State University and New America in collaboration with Security & Defence PLuS, brought together top policymakers, defence strategists, and experts to discuss emerging security challenges.
Strategic Reset in Bilateral Ties
Reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to diplomacy and stability, Ambassador Sheikh highlighted the enduring depth of the Pakistan-US partnership, noting its shared history of collaboration on critical issues including counterterrorism and climate change.
He also thanked US President Donald Trump for his role in facilitating the ceasefire that ended the 88-hour standoff earlier this year, describing it as “a vital act that prevented escalation in a nuclear neighbourhood of 1.7 billion people.”
Climate Change: An Existential Threat
Addressing the impact of climate change on Pakistan, Sheikh stressed that environmental threats are not abstract but existential for the country. He described repeated cycles of catastrophic floods, cloudbursts, and sequential disasters that have destroyed infrastructure and reversed development gains.
“Pakistan’s diplomacy today is deeply intertwined with climate policy and economic security,” he said. “What we build every few years is washed away by floods, but we still must pay back what we borrowed to rebuild.”
Kashmir and Regional Stability
Reiterating Pakistan’s firm stance on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Ambassador Sheikh called for international mediation to help Kashmiris realise their right to self-determination in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions. He stressed that lasting peace in South Asia is contingent upon resolving this longstanding dispute.
He also rejected “camp politics,” asserting that Pakistan seeks balanced relations. “There is no binary choice for us. Our relationship with China didn’t start yesterday, and it is not ending tomorrow,” he said, framing China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as an economic initiative for regional connectivity, not geopolitical rivalry.
Diplomacy with Afghanistan and Global Role
On security and cross-border terrorism, Sheikh said Pakistan has suffered tremendously from terrorism but remains committed to diplomacy as its primary tool to address tensions with both Afghanistan and India.
Clarifying Pakistan’s position on Afghan refugees, he said that only undocumented or illegal residents were being repatriated, stressing that movement across the Pak-Afghan border should be visa-based in line with international norms.
Touching on the Russo-Ukrainian War, Sheikh welcomed peace efforts led by the US under Trump’s leadership, expressing hope for their success.
Closing Remarks
In his concluding statement, Ambassador Sheikh recalled Pakistan’s historical role in bridging the US and China decades ago and expressed readiness to play a similar role today as an economic bridge for global peace. He engaged with the audience in a Q&A session, reiterating Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to diplomacy, dialogue, and mutual respect in international relations.
