Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen called on Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the Pakistan House on 17 January 2020.

The Foreign Minister said that Pakistan attached importance to its relations with the United States, and wanted to further strengthen and broaden the two countries’ strategic partnership.

The Foreign Minister briefed Sen. Van Hollen on the continuing lockdown in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He thanked Sen. Van Hollen for his consistent and principled stance on the grave humanitarian situation in Occupied Kashmir.

Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Pakistan remained committed to working with the United States for achieving a political settlement in Afghanistan.

The Foreign Minister also briefed the Senator on his recent visits to Iran and Saudi Arabia as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for defusing tensions in the Middle East.

Sen. Van Hollen noted that the United States and Pakistan had been important partners for peace and stability in the region throughout their history. He appreciated Pakistan’s positive role in Afghanistan and the wider region.

The Senator conveyed his strong support for enhancing economic and trade ties between the two countries. He appreciated the warm hospitality extended to him during his visit to Pakistan in October 2019, when he had also visited Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Washington, DC