Commander of US CENTCOM General Lloyd Austin (L) meets with Secretary of Defence Lt Gen (Retd) Asif Yasin Malik. PHOTO: APP
General Austin who called on Secretary for Defence Lt Gen (retd) Asif Yasin Malik, and the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shamim Wayne in Islamabad on Friday.
The US commander, while terming Pakistan as a vital partner for regional security, appreciated its role in facilitating the drawdown.
General Austin said that consultative forums like DCG had helped cement our military to military relations aimed at improving peace and stability in the region. He added that continued support in training, education and the Coalition Support Fund would act as tools necessary to keep relations on solid footing.
Malik asserted that Pakistan wanted peace in the region and was ready to play role for achieving the goal of lasting stability. He added that Pakistan earnestly wished for a stable and peaceful Afghanistan and pursues a policy of non-interference in Afghan affairs.
Moreover, Pakistan would always facilitate the reconciliation and peace process in Afghanistan for a durable peace in the Region.
General Austin also called on the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shameem Wayne.
US Ambassador to Pakistan, Richard Olson was also present in the meeting.
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@Anusha, would you please stop advocating India "unnecessarily"?
Yes, good old former Soviet ally in Afghanistan will get the job done. Good luck. By the way which one would India qualify on "fair and honest" or " not being a stakeholder" ? Amusing!
ET- The heading is confusing because at no stage the US General has asked Pakistan to facilitate troops draw-down however Pakistan has only offered its cooperation. In fact, this being a sensitive issue, the facilitators need to be chosen with a proven track record of being honest and fair or who are not the stake-holders in this region. Pakistan doesn't fit the bill on both criteria and may not be considered for this assignment whereas India would qualify on one and may be asked by President Obama for doing this important job.
@Syed: can you please calm down!!! and stop India bashing unnecessarily!!!
This was the most required arrangements. Without Pakistan's full cooperations there was every likelyhood that American withdrawal would have turned into a rout, like they faced in Vietnam. This is the time American should keep Indians away from every part and portion of these settlements. If Indians are called in they will again create a series of confusions and mis-understandings.
It is great to see Afghanistan and Pakistan communicating and coordinating for the betterment of the region. It is simply imperative for both nations to be on the same page in regards to our peace objectives in the region. We must work together to negate the threat of terrorism on both sides of the border. We repeat what Ambassador James F. Dobbins, Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, said recently: “We support improved Afghanistan-Pakistan relations specifically because it would alleviate some of the pressures and tensions that give rise to the conflict in Afghanistan. And so from our standpoint, there’s everything to be gained from an improvement in that relationship.”
Ali Khan DET, United States Central Command