The Centre for Strategic Perspectives at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad hosted a roundtable with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker to discuss recent developments in US Pakistan ties under the current US administration. The session brought together former ambassadors, senior diplomats, think tank heads, academics, practitioners and regional experts for candid exchanges on bilateral priorities.
Director General Ambassador Sohail Mahmood observed that Pakistan and the United States share a long and resilient relationship that has evolved through cooperation and divergence yet remains vital to both countries. He noted that despite constraints the partnership has repeatedly adapted to meet shared goals of peace, stability and prosperity, and that 2025 has introduced a distinct phase shaped by a new US administration, a shifting global environment and Pakistan’s growing salience in South Asia, West Asia and the Middle East.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood described the current chapter in US Pakistan ties as increasingly pragmatic, with convergence on enhanced counter-terrorism cooperation, support for peace in Afghanistan and measures aimed at crisis prevention in South Asia. He highlighted growing economic engagement, pointing to US interest and investments in Pakistan’s energy, minerals, agriculture and information technology sectors along with proposals for a Pakistan US Education and IT Corridor and cooperation with the US Development Finance Corporation.
Speakers expressed optimism about expanding collaboration in technology, education, climate resilience and sustainable development, while stressing the importance of building stronger people to people connections. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood urged a move away from the cyclical patterns of the past and emphasized that sustainable progress will require broad based and multifaceted engagement across economic and security domains.
Discussion during the roundtable covered enhanced bilateral economic collaboration, the situation in Afghanistan, prospects for peace and strategic stability in South Asia, the conflict in the Middle East and broader developments in the Asia Pacific. Participants underscored the need for a deeper, forward looking partnership grounded in common objectives of peace and regional stability as they explored practical pathways to strengthen US Pakistan ties.
The meeting concluded with Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman of the Board of Governors at ISSI, presenting the institute’s memento to Natalie Baker followed by a group photograph to mark the visit and the dialogue.
