Washington, D.C., Feb 12 : The United States has described Pakistan as a key partner in South Asia, outlining efforts to strengthen collaboration on critical minerals, trade, and security, even as lawmakers acknowledged ongoing regional tensions and the risks of instability.
During testimony before a House subcommittee on South and Central Asia, Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur emphasized the growing economic and strategic engagement between Washington and Islamabad. “We’re working together with Pakistan to realize the potential of its critical mineral resources,” he said, highlighting initiatives that combine US government seed financing with private sector expertise.
Kapur noted that bilateral economic ties are expanding in trade, energy, and agriculture, and framed the cooperation as part of a broader regional strategy aimed at building partners’ strategic capacity. “This approach enables countries to integrate into the global economy, preserve autonomy, and contribute to a free and open region,” he explained.
Security cooperation remains central to the relationship, he added. “Our ongoing counterterrorism efforts help Pakistan tackle internal threats while addressing transnational dangers that could impact regional stability,” Kapur said. He also highlighted the enduring challenge posed by extremist networks, noting that small militant groups often blend into local populations, complicating counterterrorism operations.
Lawmakers stressed the high stakes of regional stability. Democratic Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove cited the recent India-Pakistan conflicts as a reminder of the critical role US diplomacy plays in preventing escalation in a region home to two billion people.
The renewed focus on Pakistan’s mineral sector comes amid broader US efforts to diversify global supply chains and reduce reliance on China for strategic resources. Analysts suggest that Pakistan continues to occupy an important place in Washington’s South Asia strategy—as a security partner, mineral hub, and a nation whose stability has global ramifications.