China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday lauded Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to facilitate dialogue and diplomacy, amid ongoing talks between Iran and the United States, reiterating appreciation for its constructive role during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and FM Ishaq Dar.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting took place in New York, where the two leaders exchanged views on recent regional developments and Pakistan’s efforts to promote sustained peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy in the region and beyond.

“Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated appreciation and support for Pakistan’s constructive role,” the statement said.

The two sides also recalled the recent visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation to China, as well as the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, underscoring the long-standing friendship and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

FM Dar is scheduled to travel to Washington, DC on Sunday for an official visit, where he is expected to meet US Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio to review bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.

Dar, Turkmenistan FM agree to boost cooperation

Separately, Dar also met Turkmenistan’s FM Rashid Meredov on the sidelines of the Group of Friends meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where the two sides reviewed bilateral ties and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers took stock of the positive trajectory of Pakistan-Turkmenistan relations and reiterated the deep-rooted and friendly ties between the two countries.

Dar emphasised the need to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, energy, transport and regional connectivity, including Pakistan’s readiness to export high-quality meat and agricultural products to Turkmenistan.

“The two sides also placed emphasis on strengthening regional transit and connectivity through rail, road, air and sea linkages to facilitate trade, commercial activity, and people-to-people exchanges,” it added.

The two sides also discussed regional and international developments, reaffirming their commitment to deepen cooperation at multilateral fora, including the United Nations.

The deputy prime minister visited New York on the invitation of FM Yi to attend the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Open Debate on “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-centred International System”.

Read: FM Dar to visit US Secretary Rubio in Washington after UNSC engagements in New York

The debate was held on May 26 under China’s presidency of the Security Council, which called for restraint and de-escalation in the Middle East, warning that another prolonged conflict would endanger regional peace and further strain the fragile international order.

Addressing the open debate, he said the principle of peaceful settlement must apply equally to all long-standing disputes on the Security Council’s agenda, referring to ongoing efforts to achieve a resolution to the conflict between Iran and the US.

“The entire world is watching. We must succeed in the interest of regional and global peace and security,” Dar told the 15-member Security Council. “As a friendly neighbour of Iran and brotherly countries of the Gulf, Pakistan consistently stands for restraint, de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.”

Dar said that during his recent visit to Beijing, Pakistan and China had announced a five-point initiative for peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East, warning that another conflict would pose a serious threat not only to the region but to the wider world.

“Another prolonged conflict would serve no one,” the foreign minister warned. “It would endanger regional peace, disrupt global energy flows, deepen humanitarian suffering and strain an already fragile international order.”