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The feeling that Pakistan has not been doing enough to deal with militancy appears to have been growing of late.

The time taken by President Obama to meet a high-level Pakistani delegation currently visiting the US for three days for a strategic dialogue underscores, perhaps more than anything else, just how highly Washington rates the need for good ties with Pakistan. It has been clear since Obama took over as president of the US that his administration sees Islamabad as a capital that holds the key to winning the battle against terrorism. The decision by Obama to meet Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani may also have been an attempt to smooth down feathers ruffled by the recent fracas over Nato air strikes inside Pakistan and also by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s tough warning to Pakistan to do more to help its flood victims.

The announcement by President Obama that he would visit Pakistan in 2011 and invite President Zardari to the US makes it clear that the White House is eager to build trust and cooperation with Pakistan. This will please Pakistani officials who will be discussing a wide range of issues.

But, as Mr Qureshi made clear, problematic issues also came up during the discussions. The drone attacks were mentioned. We can be certain that other issues related to Pakistan’s efforts against militants would also have been raised. The feeling in Washington that Pakistan has not been doing enough to deal with militancy appears to have been growing of late. It is important that these issues be sorted out. Washington, Islamabad and Kabul need to work together towards this. The talks appear to have moved ahead in a positive atmosphere. But Pakistan will be aware that the mood in Washington could change if suspicions as to its intentions linger on, and this is something both nations would wish to avoid given that there is a great deal to be gained through the plan for cooperation outlined by President Obama.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22^nd, 2010.