Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh highlights significance of Pak-U.S. Relations at University of California Berkley

Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, Mr. Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, delivered an talk on Pakistan-US Relations: Role of Pakistan Diaspora at the Department of Ethnic Studies, University of California, Berkeley on November 7th 2024. The event, attended by faculty members and students, provided a significant platform for an open dialogue on the evolving relationship between Pakistan and the United States, with focus on the role of the Pakistani- American community in shaping bilateral ties.

Ambassador Sheikh highlighted key developments in Pakistan-U.S. bilateral relations in recent years, emphasizing the government’s priorities to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, higher education, health, science and technology, climate change, and regional stability. He underscored the strategic nature of the relationship in historical context and shared interests of both nations to promote peace and development. He also stressed the pivotal role of the Pakistani diaspora in strengthening these ties, particularly through active engagement with American institutions, policymakers, media, and the corporate sector.

He also emphasized the vital role of the Pakistani-American community in enhancing people-to-people connections and promoting educational, economic, and cultural exchanges, effectively serving as a bridge between Pakistan and the United States. He noted that the community, with its strong roots in both countries, is uniquely positioned to further strengthen the friendly relations between the two nations. He also underscored the significant contributions of Pakistani-Americans across diverse sectors, including technology, healthcare, and business, and their impact in advancing the shared interests of Pakistan and the U.S.
Referring to Pakistan’s historical role as a diplomatic bridge between the United States and China, he said the country is now poised to serve as an economic bridge, fostering deeper connections between these two major economies.
Engagement with prestigious academic institutions is a key component of the Embassy’s ongoing efforts to promote deeper understanding and collaboration between the people of Pakistan and the United States. These efforts emphasize the pivotal role of the diaspora in bridging cultural, educational, and political divides.

Berkley, California
November 7, 2024