Pakistan’s newly appointed ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, presented his diplomatic credentials to US President Joe Biden today at a ceremony held at Blair House. This marks Sheikh’s official start as the 30th ambassador representing Pakistan in the US.

The ceremony was attended by members of the diplomatic community and senior US officials. Ambassador Sheikh conveyed a message of goodwill from Pakistan’s president, prime minister, and its people, emphasizing the rich history of cooperative relations between the two nations.

In his address, Sheikh highlighted the robust foundations of Pakistan-US relations, noting ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation across several critical sectors, including climate change, energy, health, trade, and investment. He underscored the importance of the economic partnership between the two countries, citing the US as the largest destination for Pakistani exports.

Sheikh expressed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding trade with the US and inviting American investment in alternative energy, green technology, industry, digital platforms, and higher education.

Sheikh also acknowledged the role of the Pakistani community in the US as a vital bridge between the two countries. He expressed his intent to engage in comprehensive and structured discussions on both security and non-security matters to invigorate relations and address mutual interests.

President Biden welcomed Ambassador Sheikh and underscored the importance of the US-Pakistan relationship. He described the arrival of the new ambassador as pivotal for continuing the strong partnership between the two nations.

Biden reaffirmed America's commitment to supporting Pakistan in addressing global and regional challenges, including climate change, regional security threats, and global health issues. He praised the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in combating terrorism and reiterated the importance of their economic, security, and cultural ties.

Biden expressed a desire to work closely with Ambassador Sheikh to advance the shared agenda and strengthen the bilateral relationship, emphasizing the importance of their partnership for regional stability and security.