US Secretary of State John Kerry (L) shakes hands with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif before their meeting at the State Department in Washington October 20, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
From the US side, senior Administration officials including Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, Director CIA John Brennan and SRAP James Dobbins assisted the Secretary of State.
Welcoming the PM, Kerry expressed confidence that the visit would provide the necessary stimulus to further deepen and expand US-Pakistan relations. Kerry stressed that the US would work with Nawaz in all areas of bilateral relations under the revived mechanism of the Strategic Dialogue.
He further appreciated the bold decisions taken by Nawaz for reviving the economy and overcoming energy shortages.
Nawaz said that he looked forward to meeting with President Obama at the White House on October 23. This would be the first summit level interaction between the two countries after the historic democratic transition in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister reiterated his determination to revive the economy and improve the law and order situation in Pakistan. Outlining his vision of promoting peace and stability in the region, Nawaz emphasized the need for the two countries to work together in meeting the common challenges of extremism and terrorism.
Other matters of mutual interest including regional stability and the situation in Afghanistan were also discussed during the meeting.
Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani accompanied Nawaz to the US.
Earlier, upon his arrival at the Andrews Air Force Base in Washington for a three day official visit, Nawaz was accorded a warm welcome by the senior officials of the White House and the Department of State. A contingent of the US armed services also presented a guard of honour to the Prime Minister.
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@US CENTCOM:
Sounds great - maybe you can explain how OBL lived comfortably for over a decade in Pakistan and was discovered in a palatial fortress just outside Pakistan Military Academy?
Sharif and the new head of the military (whoever that might be) deserve a chance/fair shake from the USA - however the duplicitous behavior of Zardari and Kayani won't be overlooked or forgotten by the USA. Pakistan needs to do something to regain USA trust - finding out who in the "establishment" was helping OBL would go a long way in helping relations.
@Lahore: It really shows your importance to them. Its more of a case, Hello ! Another Begging delegation is here with big wish list, and that want it all free too !
We share a common stance against terrorism, and our shared will and desire to stabilize the region continues to binds us together. It is easy to see that our nations are working hard to create a healthy working relationship. We’ve seen the negatives of staying on the opposites sides of the fence, and at the same time, we’ve greatly benefited from working closely. It only makes sense for us to be on the same page for the betterment of the region. These meetings allow us to address any shared concerns in regards to our common objectives. We are working hard to build on our improving relationship. We’ve always said that we cannot have a stable region without a stable Pakistan. We’ve always appreciated all of Pakistan’s sacrifices in the region and look forward to maintaining a good working relationship for the safety of our nations.
Ali Khan DET, United States Central Command
When we are welcoming, our president and prime minister go to the airport to welcome foreign diplomats as in the case of china, us etc, but when our pm go there, we welcomed with very low profile diplomats !
Its all Business as usual ! Drones will continue to operate, US will throw few $$$ and Pakistanis will calm down to spend them ! Nothing is going to change nor any demands from Pakistan will heard, as US has really figured out as Pakistan's duplicities in every sphere over past decade. They are not to be Trusted again !
Is the entire royal family traveling with him? What about the Luqma Sharif? Without him, would our PM be able to communicate with the likes of Kerry and Obama? He would be toasted.
US government got confused if this were PM Nawaz Sharif, or the Foreign Minister Nawaz Sharif, or the Defense Minister Nawaz Sharif, or the patron-n-chief PCB Nawaz Sharif, or Amir-u-Momineen Nawaz Sharif. In the end, they sent out Acting Chief of Protocol, State Dept. to receive Maulvi Nawaz Sharif.
Bold decisions by PM?!?!?! what is he drinking?!?!?
"Earlier, upon his arrival at the Andrews Air Force Base in Washington for a three day official visit, Nawaz was accorded a warm welcome by the senior officials of the White House and the Department of State."
Three day visit ? What sort of math is that ? Mr NS arrived in US on 20th and will meet Obama on 23rds. This itself makes four days. Maths apart, what will Mr NS do in US till 23rd ? Meet Pakistani diaspora? Aura of state visit is missing totally. It seems official business is almost over during Kerry's meeting. Obama meeting will be just 30 min photo session at best with few sweet sounding words. What happened to American mediation in Kashmir of which Mian Sahib has been talking lately?
warm welcome !! - acting chief of protocol of US state department received the Pakistani premier. No John Kerry, no senator... no Obama.
Alas, the heavy burden of the "Mundate" on his shoulders!!!
'Decisions' have been taken in Nawaz Kerry meeting. Nawaz meeting with Obama will be just a formality, a photo session at the best.
Body language tells the whole story. A disconnect between the two.
I think they exchanged their neck ties before the meeting. ha ha