Ambassador Ali J Siddiqui allays US concerns over CPEC

WASHINGTON: The Center for Strategic and International Studies, one of the world’s leading defense and security think tanks, known for providing strategic insights and policy solutions in the US, invited Ambassador Ali Siddiqui to speak on Pak-US relationship that looks beyond common security interests.

The half-day-long engagement involved in-depth discussion on new areas of commonality between Pakistan and the US between Ambassador Siddiqui and senior scholars Daniel Runde and Seth Jones from CSIS. Areas for an economic partnership in sectors such as energy and agriculture were deliberated along with developments in, and potential for, tourism in Pakistan. A special note of reference and appreciation was made for the recent opening of the Kartarpur corridor for followers of the Sikh faith.

Ambassador Siddiqui observed that interested US companies have missed out on various opportunities in Pakistan against their competitors in Europe and Asia, especially in telecommunication services - which has experienced immense growth. He mentioned existing opportunities related to increased regional connectivity with Central Asia.

CPEC and the Pak-China relationship was also a topic of detailed discussion where the Ambassador relayed Pakistan’s perspective and addressed common misconceptions in the US. While talking about its openness the Ambassador elaborated that US companies such as General Electric were also benefitting from CPEC.

A detailed portion of the event was dedicated to envisioning how the Pakistan US relationship can be broadened from its current one-dimensional state that is limited to security interests. Ambassador Siddiqui contributed that Pakistan offers enormous economic growth potential and a partnership that benefits from economic cooperation, profit, technology exchange and shared regional interests would be in the greater strategic interest of both nations. He said that it was time to stop looking at Pakistan through a limited third country prism whether it be India or Afghanistan.

Mr. Runde observed that Pakistan shares the league of Brazil and Indonesia when it comes to population and potential, and thus the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and the US must encompass the multidimensionality enjoyed with other large nations. Mr. Jones also made a series of comments related to moving beyond the security relationship and shared his impressions of how Pakistan is developing.

Ambassador Siddiqui acknowledged the positive direction set during the summit and following meetings between President Trump and Prime Minister Imran Khan, highlighting the steps taken since to build upon the Pak-US economic potential. Ambassador Siddiqui also presented Pakistan’s support of the peace process in Afghanistan and opportunities post peace for Pakistan and the US.