Ishaq Dar urges India to foster an environment for strengthening bilateral relations

Islamabad – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has urged India to foster an environment conducive to improving bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Dar emphasised that building stronger ties between Pakistan and India is a shared responsibility, stating, “It takes two to tango,” highlighting the need for India to take steps toward fostering a positive atmosphere for cooperation.

Dar’s remarks come as the government continues its efforts to enhance Pakistan’s diplomatic standing and economic stability. He emphasised the importance of Pakistan’s two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2025-2026, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s diplomatic journey. Dar further stated that the government is committed to transitioning Pakistan from a nuclear power to an economic powerhouse, to restore the country’s prominence on the global stage.

The deputy prime minister also discussed the economic progress under the current government, noting that while the nation inherited significant challenges, including a 25% policy rate, slow GDP growth, and high inflation, efforts to implement prudent economic policies had yielded positive results. Dar highlighted that inflation had been reduced to below 5%, the policy rate dropped to 13%, and foreign exchange reserves, remittances, and exports were on the rise.

Regarding foreign investments, Dar shared encouraging news following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s successful visits to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Azerbaijan, which have led to expectations of nearly $29 billion in potential investments in Pakistan.

On the international front, Dar spoke about Pakistan’s active role in various global forums. This included participation in the Nuclear Energy Summit, the World Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia, and the OIC Summit in Gambia. Throughout these interactions, Pakistan consistently raised key issues such as Kashmir and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine, with a strong emphasis on advocating for the implementation of UN resolutions.

Pakistan’s engagement with the international community also extended to dispatching humanitarian aid to Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, as well as providing support to Palestinian medical students.

About Afghanistan, Dar reiterated Pakistan’s desire for good trade relations, particularly to enhance connectivity with neighbouring states like Uzbekistan. He attributed the resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan to the previous government’s policies, particularly the decision to open the Afghan border and release convicted criminals, a move that had contributed to the rise in terrorism post-2018. Pakistan remains committed to fostering stability in the region, with an ongoing effort to resolve disputes and promote peace through diplomacy.