India Pakistan News: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is in America to participate in the Global Minerals Conference to be held in America’s capital Washington. The interesting thing is that Pakistan has not been invited to this meeting. This decision is important because it has come at a time when Pakistan has been attracting America for the last several months by showing samples of its rare-earth minerals. Both Munir and Shahbaz had carried this treasure in suitcases like salesmen, which was of no use.

Last year, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir themselves visited the White House and presented a box of rare-earth minerals to the then President Donald Trump. This was considered an attempt to signal to America that Pakistan wants to play an important role in the global mineral market. Pakistan was continuously claiming that it had rare mineral reserves and could become a supplier to America.

Even Munir-Shahbaz’s flattery did not work

Pakistan has been continuously claiming that it has large reserves of many strategic minerals including rare-earths and it can become an alternative supplier in America’s efforts to reduce dependence on China. Army Chief Asim Munir and other officers highlighted Pakistan’s mineral potential at several forums and also talked about partnership with American mining companies. Despite all these efforts, Pakistan did not get a place in the conference, whereas India has been invited to it. It is clear from this that this matter is not just about mineral resources.

America gave a blow to Pakistan

Pakistan wants to move away from decades-old security-centric relations with America towards economic and geo-strategic partnership. Pakistan claims that it has mineral resources worth about $6 trillion and has also signed an agreement worth $500 million with the American company US Strategic Metals. However, in the eyes of America, Pakistan’s biggest problem is its credibility. American policy makers consider political stability, continuity of policies and the ability to complete projects over a long period of time as important in any mineral partnership. Frequent change of governments in Pakistan, civil-military tension and uncertainty regarding investment security have been weakening America’s confidence. This is believed to be the reason why despite all efforts, Pakistan remained out of this important global conference.