ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker met Pakistan’s Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi on Thursday to discuss ways to strengthen Islamabad’s railways and infrastructure to support its critical minerals sector, the US Embassy in Pakistan said in a statement.
“Grateful for today’s productive meeting with Federal Minister @pakrailpk Hanif Abbasi,” Baker was quoted as saying by the US embassy on social media platform X. “Together, we are exploring innovative ways to strengthen Pakistan’s railways and infrastructure to support the critical minerals sector.”
She said American companies were ready to provide “world-class solutions” that drive growth and mutual benefit for both countries.
The meeting between Baker and Abbasi comes amid deepening ties between Washington and Islamabad, ever since US President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan on May 10. Ties between both nations remained frayed under US President Joe Biden’s administration.
Last month, Pakistan signed a trade deal with the US after which Washington slashed its tariff on Pakistani goods from 29 percent to 19 percent, while Trump imposed double tariffs on Islamabad’s arch-rival India.
Grateful for today’s productive meeting with Federal Minister @pakrailpk Hanif Abbasi. Together, we are exploring innovative ways to strengthen Pakistan’s railways and infrastructure to support the critical minerals sector. U.S. companies are ready to provide world-class… pic.twitter.com/3y90BiqT1U
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) August 21, 2025