Ishaq Dar holds US, UK, China talks as Pakistan pushes diplomacy

Islamabad,UPDATED: Aug 14, 2026 18:48 IST

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday held separate talks with the top diplomats of the US, the UK and China, with discussions centred on bilateral ties, regional developments and wider international issues, according to Pakistan's Foreign Office.

Dar, who also holds the foreign affairs portfolio, stressed the need for dialogue and diplomacy in his meetings with US Charge d'Affaires Natalie Baker and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott. The meetings took place as Pakistan was making efforts to end the conflict between the US and Iran, while his meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong also covered a recent avalanche tragedy in Gilgit-Baltistan.

In his meeting with Baker, Dar "appreciated the positive trajectory in Pakistan-US relations and underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for lasting peace". He said the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran, "in letter and spirit", was the only way forward to end the conflict in the Middle East. The Foreign Office said, "He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to regional peace and security while safeguarding its national interests." Baker, it added, "appreciated Pakistan's constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability and conveyed felicitations to the DPM/FM on Pakistan's Independence Day".

During his interaction with Marriott, Dar "appreciated the positive momentum in Pakistan-UK relations". The Foreign Office said he recalled his recent meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila and highlighted the importance of sustained high-level contacts. The two sides "discussed key areas of mutual interest and ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation". They also discussed recent regional and international developments, and Dar again said the Islamabad MoU should be properly implemented, reaffirming that dialogue and diplomacy were the only way forward to address outstanding issues. Marriott also conveyed warm wishes on Pakistan's Independence Day.

In his meeting with Jiang, Dar conveyed condolences over "the tragic death of a Chinese mountaineer following an avalanche incident at Broad Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan". The Foreign Office said he also "assured full facilitation for the repatriation of the deceased's remains". Jiang "appreciated Pakistan's prompt assistance and support following the incident", while the two sides also exchanged views on regional developments and other matters of mutual interest. The Chinese ambassador also congratulated Pakistan's people and leadership on Independence Day and reaffirmed the "close and time-tested ties" between the two countries.

The meetings with the US, UK and Chinese diplomats covered bilateral relations, regional issues and Pakistan's push for dialogue, while also addressing the Broad Peak avalanche incident and Independence Day messages from the visiting envoys.

With PTI Inputs

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