The US Secretary of State will be visiting Pakistan right after his visit to India and the ongoing tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi would certainly be a key talking point. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD: United States (US) Secretary of State John Kerry is due to arrive in Pakistan on Monday for crucial talks as the US-led foreign forces’ withdraw from Afghanistan.
Curiously, there was no official announcement from either Washington or Islamabad regarding his visit, probably due to security concerns.
Official sources, however, confirmed that Kerry, who is currently in India, will be arriving in Islamabad and is expected to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif the same day.
The strategic dialogue was initiated by the Obama Administration in an effort to advance bilateral cooperation with Pakistan beyond what is often seen as mainly the security driven relationship.
Under the strategic dialogue, there are several working groups including on energy, counter-terrorism, trade, economic cooperation as well as reviewing progress achieved so far during the working groups.
The talks are seen as important because the dialogue will indicate the nature of cooperation between the two countries in coming years after the US formally ended its 13-year-long and hard combat mission in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has often expressed a fear that the US may repeat the mistake of 1989 when it left the region in mess. The US has time and again assured that it has learnt from its mistakes and will not abandon the region.
During his stay, Kerry is also expected to meet the Army Chief (COAS) General Raheel Sharif to discuss the current regional security situation. A visit to the Army Public School in Peshawar is also on the cards.
The US Secretary of State's visit to Pakistan comes right after his visit to India which is embroiled in border tensions with Islamabad. The subject is expected to feature in discussions between Pakistani officials and Kerry.
A senior Pakistani official told The Express Tribune that Pakistan will brief Kerry about the worsening situation and its possible implications for the ongoing military offensive in the tribal areas.
Tensions between Pakistan and India are showing no signs of de-escalating due to sporadic clashes between the security forces of two countries along the Line of Control and working boundary.
The two nuclear-armed neighbours have recently engaged in war of words over the US move to approve civilian and military assistance for Pakistan, certifying that the country was doing enough resistance against militant outfits.
The US decision prompted India to declare that it does not believe that Pakistan has effectively dealt with groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish Muhammad.
However, Pakistan was quick to respond to the Indian allegations and insisted that it was fighting terrorism without any discrimination.
COMMENTS (15)
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Hopefully the visit will bring the good news for both the states, as previously the US and Pakistan has worked together. Pakistan foreign office must include the military establishment in the talks to make better understanding of the security challenges Pakistan is facing.
A relationship spanning over 65 years, both partners have sustained it, sometimes happily, other times not so happily. Many in the U.S. government and quite a number of independent analysts continue to express the view that U.S. strategic interests are inextricably linked with a stable Pakistan that can effectively implement the government’s writ to all of its territory and assist the United States with efforts to stabilize Afghanistan thereby contribute to the stability in the region. John Kerry's visit can bring positive dimensions to the Pak-US relationship and more importantly they can formulate a road map for stable Afghanistan which has direct influence over Pakistan.
@ Rabia: We as a nation doing enough of what we have got to fight teroorsim which you indian s are expanding day by day with your consulates in our neighbours.
Could you be please more specific? What are you doing enough? What are the Indians expanding day by day with the Consulates "in neighbours"?
Just making these statements does not mean these things happen. Proof of doing enough and Indian Consulates "in neighbours" expanding terrorism would be needed if one has to believe your comments.
Did anyone even asked Indian opinion on aid to Pakistan from US? Has India followed in resolutions on Kashmir issue yet? We as a nation doing enough of what we have got to fight teroorsim which you indian s are expanding day by day with your consulates in our neighbours.
Kerry should visit our country than pakistan as we are the next economic power house in south asia.
I remember that disprin advertisement.. Do more Do more Do more more more Do more more......
A senior Pakistani official told The Express Tribune that Pakistan will brief Kerry about the worsening situation and its possible implications for the ongoing military offensive in the tribal areas.
In propaganda warfare he who gets the first word in has the advantage. Unfortunately for the Pakistani side Kerry will already have heard the Indian side of the story.
I hope the US provides utmost support for the long term rehabilitation and development of FATA and IDPs.
The situation is critical and wise decisions are required from all sides to ensure stability in the region.
I hope US and Pakistan do not miss this opportunity.
I dont think the US will ask Pakistan anything else, Pakistan has done everything. Most leaders know what Modi is, but their focus is on trade.
" Under the strategic dialogue, there are several working groups including on energy, counter-terrorism, trade, economic cooperation" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ If I were the Paki PM I would insist on one point agenda: the specific exemption from the UN /US/EU sanctions for the IP Gas Pipeline which is already attracting an Iranian USD 3 Mn penalty per day. Rest is all flatulence!.
" The US has time and again assured that it has learnt from its mistakes and will not abandon the region." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The primary mistake being switching the roles between Pakistan and Afghanistan!
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: " The priority of US towards India can be seen that John Kerry first went to India and then coming to Pakistan." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Actually the US priority towards India vs Pakistan can bee seen by the agendas for the two visits: Trade, Development and Commerce for India and mainly bickering about aid money for Pakistan.
earlier days US was asking from pak to do more and pakistan did listen to them but now Pak want US to do more. will US listen to Pak.
and us cannot dictate india what to do or not to do with pakistan
Hope John Kerry will not ask any more to Pakistan to extend friendly hand towards India.
US have all the options to say similar words to India, but US only advice Pakistan, not to India.
The priority of US towards India can be seen that John Kerry first went to India and then coming to Pakistan.
Don't mind Kerry, that is the truth written what you have read just now.