US and Pakistan Expand Cooperation Across Trade, Security, and Regional Mediation

Senior Pakistani and American officials held two days of diplomatic talks in Islamabad, expanding bilateral cooperation across economic, security, and regional issues. On May 14, Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, met with US Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur to discuss strengthening trade, investment, and development ties. Dar praised President Donald Trump's vision for peace, the US-Iran ceasefire understanding, and Vice President JD Vance's recent visit to Pakistan. Kapur acknowledged Pakistan's role in regional mediation, and both sides agreed to sustain structured dialogue through regular high-level exchanges.

The following day, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Kapur and Acting Ambassador Natalie Baker to deepen security cooperation. The officials agreed to enhance counterterrorism and narcotics control efforts. Naqvi confirmed that Pakistan has provided foolproof security for American companies working at the Reko Diq copper and gold mining project in Balochistan and pushed for the early resumption of direct US-Pakistan flights. The United States has earmarked $1.3 billion for the Reko Diq project. The discussions also covered the Middle East conflict, with both sides reviewing Pakistan's April efforts to broker ceasefire talks and dialogue between the United States and Iran. The back-to-back meetings signaled a widening arc of engagement, moving from economic partnership into security coordination and regional diplomacy.