The US Secretary of State John Kerry addressing the Vibrant Gujarat in India on Sunday. PHOTO: AFP
Although neither Washington nor Islamabad issued an official announcement regarding Kerry’s visit, seemingly due to security reasons, official sources confirmed that the secretary of state will reach the Pakistani capital today (Monday) evening. Kerry is expected to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif the same day.
Kerry is visiting Islamabad for the strategic dialogue 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 on energy, counter-terrorism and trade and economic cooperation.
The strategic dialogue in Islamabad will review progress achieved so far during the working groups. The talks are seen as important as this 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 fears 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 army chief General Raheel Sharif to discuss the current regional security situation. He is likely to visit the Army Public School in Peshawar to show solidarity with Pakistan following the barbaric attack last month as well.
The US secretary of state will be coming straight from India and ongoing tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi will certainly be a key talking point. A senior Pakistani official told The Express Tribune that Islamabad will brief Kerry about the worsening situation and its possible implications for the ongoing military offensive in the tribal areas.
“Our message for Secretary Kerry will be: (1) Indian aggression is distracting us from the ongoing war on terror, (2) Pakistan wants peace with India but with dignity and, (3) don’t mess with Pakistan,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
Tensions between Pakistan and India are showing no signs of de-escalation due to sporadic clashes between the security forces of two countries along the Line of Control and the working boundary.
The two nuclear-armed neighbors 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 against militant outfits.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 12th, 2015.
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