US Pursues Trade Talks with Pakistan as India Seeks Broader Engagement

Pakistan is negotiating a trade agreement with the United States that would include investment commitments from Washington, junior finance minister Bilal Azhar Kayani said on 11 August. Kayani did not disclose the prospective size of the package but indicated that both sides are working on final details. Separately on the same day, Indian government officials told a parliamentary panel they remain hopeful that bilateral trade discussions with the United States will continue. The officials added that New Delhi views its relationship with Washington as multi-dimensional, encompassing security and other strategic interests in addition to commerce.