Pakistan banks on ‘shared interests’ in US ties Islamabad says Delhi evasive on horrific incident in Jodhpur Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the US Capitol in Washington US January 20, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday said it was looking forward to working with the new US administration, as US Secretary of Defence-designate termed Islamabad an "essential partner" for the Afghan endgame. "If you look at the full statement of Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, he appreciated Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process," said Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri at his weekly briefing.