Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday met the United States Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker and the United Kingdom High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, among other dignitaries, discussing regional developments.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), FM Dar “appreciated the positive trajectory in Pakistan-US relations and underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for lasting peace.”

The ministry added that the foreign minister emphasised that the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, in letter and spirit, was the only way forward. “He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and security while safeguarding its national interests,” MoFA noted.

According to MoFA, Baker “appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability and conveyed felicitations to the DPM/FM on Pakistan’s Independence Day.”

Meeting with High Commissioner Marriott, FM Dar “appreciated the positive momentum in Pakistan-UK relations,” MoFA said. It added that the foreign minister “recalled his recent meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila and highlighted the importance of sustained high-level contacts.”

Dar and Marriott also “discussed key areas of mutual interest and ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.”

Further, according to MoFA, the two discussed recent regional and international developments, with FM Dar stressing that the Islamabad MoU should be properly implemented, reaffirming that dialogue and diplomacy were the only way forward to address outstanding issues.

The high commissioner also conveyed warm wishes on Pakistan’s Independence Day, MoFA stated.

The meetings came as Islamabad continues to engage with regional and international officials amid the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, during which Islamabad has emerged as a key mediator.

Dar meets Chinese ambassador

The foreign minister also met the Ambassador of China Jiang Zaidong, conveying condolences “on the tragic death of a Chinese mountaineer following an avalanche incident at Broad Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan.”

FM Dar “assured full facilitation for the repatriation of the deceased’s remains.” According to MoFA, Zaidong “appreciated Pakistan’s prompt assistance and support following the incident.”

Further, the officials also exchanged views regarding regional developments and other matters of mutual interest, MoFA said.

It noted that the Chinese ambassador “extended warm congratulations to the people and leadership of Pakistan on the occasion of Independence Day, reaffirming the close and time-tested ties between the two countries.”

Dar meets Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to Sweden

In a separate meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to Sweden Ahmed Amjad Ali, FM Dar “underscored the importance of further advancing Pakistan-Sweden economic ties, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, technology, renewable energy, agriculture, education and skills development.”

According to an X post by MoFA, the foreign minister “directed the ambassador-designate to actively promote business-to-business linkages, facilitate greater investment and strengthen people-to-people contacts.”

He also highlighted the need for efficient and timely provision of consular services, particularly for Pakistani students and the diaspora, the foreign ministry said.

The meetings came after the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on August 7. The pact has emerged as a significant development in the regional security landscape, with Islamabad maintaining that the agreement is defensive in nature.

In a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on August 10, Dar exchanged views on regional and international developments, with particular focus on the evolving situation in the region and efforts to promote peace and stability

According to MoFA, FM Dar also “shared the contours” of the Makkah pact, underscoring its “objectives of strengthening strategic cooperation and contributing to regional peace and security”, with FM Araghchi thanking him for sharing the key aspects of the agreement.

Read: FM Dar calls for ‘unity and resolve’ among Islamic countries to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque amid Israeli incursions

On the same day, FM Dar also spoke with his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who felicitated Dar over the signing of the Makkah agreement and discussed the regional situation.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide strongly endorsed Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to mediate between the US and Iran, describing Islamabad’s role as a “service to the world”.

Eide, the first Norwegian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in a decade, said Oslo recognised the “massive task” undertaken by Pakistan in offering Islamabad as a venue and facilitator for talks between Washington and Tehran.

The Norwegian FM said he had also discussed the Makkah pact with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, describing the three countries as states with which Norway enjoyed “very good and close relations”.