Amid increased focus on controversial US drone strikes, the United States has said Islamabad and Washington are working together to address Pakistan’s concerns but stressed that despite differences, the key bilateral relationship is moving on positive trajectory.
“We obviously had an important meeting with the prime minister of Pakistan. It was a productive meeting here at the White House, and our relationship with Pakistan continues on a positive trajectory,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said.
“Obviously, we don’t agree on everything with Pakistan, but it is important even where we have differences on some issues that we work together to cooperate where we can. And we have a strong ongoing dialogue with Pakistan regarding all aspects of our bilateral relationship and shared interests, including security and counterterrorism cooperation, and we work together to address concerns that Pakistan has in these areas,” Carney stated.
He said the White House meeting provided an opportunity for the leaders to discuss “concrete cooperation on issues of mutual concern, such as energy, trade and economic development, regional stability, and countering violent extremism”.
“We want to advance our shared interest in a stable, secure and prosperous Pakistan that is contributing to regional and international security and prosperity, and we want to find ways for our countries to cooperate,” he added.
“So all the issues were on the table when these leaders met. And the meeting was very productive, as was the series of meetings that were held during the course of the prime minister’s visit.”
The press secretary would not comment on a news story in The Washington Post on past US-Pakistan understanding on drone operations, “What I can’t speak about is specific operational issues. What I can tell you is that on matters of bilateral cooperation, on counterterrorism, we have regular conversations with Pakistan and that is obviously a piece of the kind of conversations that we had during the prime minister’s visit.”
Carney also reminded reporters that Pakistan had been a major victim of terror and underlined the importance of US assistance for the key South Asian country.
