Washington DC (Staff Report): The Embassy of Pakistan in Washington DC hosted its annual BBQ Reception and Mango Festival, bringing together over two hundred participants from various backgrounds. Among the distinguished guests were Senator Irfan Siddiqui from Pakistan and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul from the United States.
The event showcased the unique taste and varieties of Pakistani mangoes, highlighting their status as one of the country’s specialties. Ambassador Masood Khan emphasized the significance of ‘Mango Diplomacy’ as an effective tool in bringing the two countries closer to each other. He discussed the incredible versatility of mangoes, from being enjoyed in their natural form to being incorporated into salads, desserts, pickles, and popular beverages like mango lassi.
Guests at the event had the opportunity to sample various dishes made with Pakistani mangoes and enjoyed the tantalizing scents and flavors. Congressman McCaul expressed his appreciation for the invitation and lauded the close ties between Texas and Pakistan, expressing a desire to continue fostering strong relations through trade and economic investments.
Ambassador Khan also mentioned Pakistan’s request under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) for a pre-inspection facility at Karachi Port, enabling larger quantities of Pakistani mangoes to be exported to various parts of the United States. He expressed hope that this process would be expedited by the concerned US authorities.
The attendees expressed optimism about overcoming hurdles in the export of Pakistani mangoes to the United States, hoping to make the unique taste, sweetness, and aroma of Pakistani mangoes available to a wider audience.
The event served as a delightful and fruitful platform for cultural exchange, strengthening bilateral ties, and fostering goodwill between the citizens of the United States and Pakistan. The Mango Festival not only celebrated the cherished fruit but also brought people from different backgrounds together under one roof, showcasing the power of ‘Mango Diplomacy’ in promoting friendship and cooperation between nations.