Pakistan & US Reinforce Counterterrorism Commitment in High-Level Dialogue

Discussions in Washington DC Focus on Confronting TTP, ISIS-K, Emphasizing Cooperation and Multilateral Engagement for Regional Stability

A joint statement issued by the Foreign Office of Pakistan stated that co-chaired by Ambassador Syed Haider Shah, Additional Foreign Secretary for the UN and OIC, and Ambassador Elizabeth Richard, Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the US Department of State, the discussions underscored the crucial collaboration between the two nations in combating regional and global security threats.

Central to the dialogue were deliberations on confronting entities such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS-Khorasan, with a focus on enhancing cooperation and capacity building in vital areas. The meeting highlighted the significance of information sharing, technical exchanges, and the provision of essential security infrastructure.

An essential aspect of the dialogue was the emphasis on bilateral training initiatives, with the United States having trained over 300 Pakistani police and frontline responders since the previous Counterterrorism Dialogue in March 2023.

Both sides stressed the importance of strengthening multilateral engagement through platforms such as the United Nations and the Global Counterterrorism Forum.

Pakistan and the United States acknowledged the pivotal role of their partnership in countering terrorism specifically against threats posed by ISIS-Khorasan, TTP, and other terrorist organizations and also promoting regional stability.

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The dialogue concluded with a mutual resolve to intensify communication and collaboration efforts to detect and deter violent extremism. The commitment to a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach underscores the seriousness with which both nations approach the challenge of transnational terrorism.

US warns India of sanctions after signing deal with Iran

The India-Iran port deal was not exempted from the sanctions, the United States administration has said as Delhi signed a 10-year contract with Iran to develop and operate the Iranian port of Chabahar.

“I will just say, as it relates to the United States, US sanctions on Iran remain in place and we’ll continue to enforce them,” Vedant Patel, the principal deputy spokesperson, said at the weekly press briefing on Monday.

India has been developing part of the port in Chabahar on Iran’s southeastern coast along the Gulf of Oman as a way to transport goods to Iran, Afghanistan and central Asian countries, bypassing the port of Karachi and Gwadar in its rival Pakistan.

Patel admitted that the country was aware of such reports that Iran and India have signed a deal concerning the Chabahar port.

When asked, he said that any entity, anyone considering business deals with Iran, they need to be aware of the potential risk that they are opening themselves up to and the potential risk of sanctions.