ISLAMABAD: Thomas West, (who took over from Zalmay Khalilzad, the long-serving US Sp Rep who spearheaded the talks that led to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan) visited Islamabad from 11th to 13th November.
According to sources aim of the Thomas West’s first visit to the region was to meet Taliban FM Amir Khan Muttaqi and senior diplomats from China and Russia at the Troika Plus rendezvous that took place here on Thursday 11th of November, 2021.
It is pertinent to mention here that earlier this week the State Department spokesman Ned Price held: “Together with our partners, he will continue to make clear the expectations that we have of the Taliban and of any future Afghanistan government.”
Thomas West also held bilateral meetings with Pakistani government officials in which both parties emphasized the importance of pressing the Taliban to uphold its commitments to counter-terrorism, the right of free passage for those who wish to depart Afghanistan, and the rights of all Afghan citizens, including minorities and women.
US Special envoy also called on COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa. They discussed current security situation in Afghanistan, and bilateral cooperation in various fields. COAS stated that Pakistan desired to maintain the tradition of bilateral engagement.
COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa wished for a long-term and multi-domain enduring relationship with the United States. Chief of Army Staff stressed the need for global convergence on the Afghan issue to avoid a looming humanitarian crisis.
Thomas West appreciated Pakistan’s role in the Afghan situation, special efforts for border management, role in regional stability and pledged to play his part for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels.
About the Envoy: Thomas West serves as the State Department’s Special Representative and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Afghanistan.
In prior roles in government, Thomas West served as Special Advisor to the Vice President for South Asia and Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the National Security Council from 2012-2015.
From 2011-2012, Thomas West was the State Department’s senior diplomat in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, where he embedded with U.S. military colleagues and managed the civilian staff of a Provincial Reconstruction Team.
From 2008-10, Tom served as Special Assistant for South and Central Asia to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, focusing on growing the U.S.-India strategic partnership.
Early in his career, Thomas West was a political officer at US Embassy Islamabad and Pakistan desk officer in Washington.
Before rejoining government in January 2021, Thomas West was a Vice President at The Cohen Group, a global strategic advisory firm, and a non-resident scholar at The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
A native of State College, Pennsylvania, Tom earned his MA in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a BA in International Studies from Johns Hopkins University.
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