US committed to strong ties with Pakistan: McMaster

• Nawaz says Pakistan looking forward to forging a strong partnership with US to work in region, beyond
• Sartaj informs US delegation about steps taken by Pakistan to reach out to India, Afghanistan

US National Security Adviser Henry McMaster on Monday assured Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif that the administration of President Donald Trump was committed to strong relationship with Pakistan.

“McMaster conveyed the greetings of President Trump and assured the prime minister that the American administration is committed to strengthening bilateral relations and working with Pakistan,” according to a statement issued here by the PM Office after the meeting at the PM House.

The meeting was the first formal high-level exchange between Pakistan and the US under the Trump administration. Prime Minister Nawaz welcomed the visiting dignitary and apprised him of the efforts and initiatives of his government that had resulted in a marked improvement in the overall security situation. He emphasised that the developments, which fully captured the spirit of a new Pakistan were being widely acknowledged and appreciated by the international community.

He said that the across-the-board consensus achieved by his government to combat extremism and terrorism and structural reforms in economy had laid the foundation of a moderate, progressive and democratic Islamic Republic that was ready to do business with the United States and the world at large. He said that as a longstanding friend and a partner, Pakistan was looking forward to forging a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with the US and to working with the new US administration, to promote peace and security in the region and beyond.

The prime minister reaffirmed his commitment to a peaceful neighbourhood and apprised the visiting American adviser of the steps taken by Pakistan to reach out to both India and Afghanistan. Sharing his concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and the continuing impasse, he conveyed Pakistan’s readiness to work with the international community to explore ways in which the Afghan crisis can be resolved.

On relations with India, the prime minister reiterated his firm conviction on sustained dialogue and meaningful engagement as the only way forward to resolve all outstanding issues between Pakistan and India including the Kashmir issue. He welcomed President Trump’s willingness to help Pakistan and India resolve their differences particularly on Kashmir and noted that this could go a long way in bringing sustainable peace, security and prosperity to the region.

The delegation comprised US Ambassador David Hale, Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Laurel Miller, National Security Council Senior Director for South Asia Lisa Curtis and National Security Council Director for Pakistan John Jay Wise. The meeting was also attended by Minister for Finance Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, NSA Nasser Khan Janjua and other senior officials.

Earlier, McMaster-led US delegation approached Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here. Conveying Pakistan’s concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, Sartaj reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to work with the international community to support efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

Sartaj was assisted by National Security Adviser Nasser Khan Janjua, Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sartaj also highlighted the importance of effective border management between Pakistan and Afghanistan as part of the actions required to achieve sustainable peace in the region.

Welcoming the US delegation, he noted that Pakistan and the US have been close friends over decades and that a continued strong partnership between the two countries remained critical to promoting and sustaining peace and stability in the wider region. He gave a detailed briefing on the policies being pursued by the government that have resulted in improved security environment and economic turnaround in Pakistan.

The Pakistan side also shared its perspective on the plight of Kashmiri people and the status of relations with India. In reiterating Prime Minister Nawaz’s vision of a peaceful neighbourhood and commitment to dialogue and engagement, he apprised the visiting delegation of the steps taken by Pakistan to reach out to both India and Afghanistan.

McMaster thanked the adviser and acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices in combating extremism and terrorism. He renewed the commitment of the new administration to work closely with Pakistan in strengthening mutually beneficial relations and towards the shared objectives of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.