Overview
- Pakistan’s Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh met Assistant Secretary Paul Kapur at the State Department on November 7–8 in an early round of discussions.
- Sheikh pressed to translate leadership-level goodwill into an “economically entrenched strategic partnership” built through sustained engagement.
- Kapur said the talks focused on advancing the relationship to make both countries more prosperous and secure, with no detailed roadmap announced.
- Both sides highlighted trade, investment, energy and development as priority areas, and U.S. officials encouraged American firms to explore infrastructure, minerals and technology opportunities in Pakistan.
- Islamabad framed the meeting as a step to stabilize ties during the Trump administration’s second term, as Washington promotes economic cooperation and options that lessen reliance on China.