CAPP Events: 2005

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CAPP Welcomes Pakistan's Ambassador

Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Jehangir Karamat, visited RAND's Santa Monica office on March 10, to deliver remarks about U.S.-Pakistan relations and current issues in South Asia. The Ambassador's delegation included Consul General Noor Muhammad Jadmani, Vice Consul Ahmad Farooq, and Mr. Shahid Tarar, Commercial Counsellor, all from the Pakistani Consulate General in Los Angeles.

Michael Rich welcomed the Ambassador and his delegation. Afterward, Ambassador Karamat spoke on the "overarching" U.S. role in South Asia. He mentioned the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, which he said would continue for a long time, and the U.S. policy toward Pakistan, which underwent quick changes in the post 9/11 era. He acknowledged that questions may remain on both sides about the sincerity and interests of the other nation, such as whether the U.S. would be consistent in its policies toward South Asia, and whether speculation that Pakistan was "mothballing" terrorists was accurate. The Ambassador said that despite these lingering questions, Pakistan was totally committed to fighting terrorism, and that the US-Pakistan relationship was moving along.

The Ambassador also touched on the India-Pakistan relationship. The start of the bus service across the line of control in Kashmir was a significant development, he said. Talks of an Indian energy corridor, possible banking collaborations, and the cricket series bode well for improved relations, he added. Ambassador Karamat said India-Pakistan relations were better now than ever before.

CAPP's Nina Hachigian chaired the meeting, which was also attended by Susan Everingham, Seth Jones, Rollie Lal, Rehan Malik, Olga Oliker, Athar Osama, Jed Peters, and Charles Wolf.