Obama calls Nawaz, expresses desire for better US-Pak ties

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  • PM invites US president to visit Pakistan, Obama informs Sharif of forthcoming visit to Indian in Jan 2015
  • Sharif urges Obama to take up Kashmir issue with Indian leadership

US President Barack Obama on Friday telephoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and expressed his desire to improve bilateral ties between the two countries.

The US president expressed his desire to take US-Pakistan ties ‘one step beyond’ current levels.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the cordial exchanges between Sharif and Obama, Pakistan-US bilateral relations and the evolving situation in the region were discussed.

Sharif expressed satisfaction at the upward trajectory of Pakistan-US relations.

President Obama noted that Pakistan-US relations were strong and robust. He was pleased to see that the government had determined the right economic priorities and was successfully overcoming challenges.

The US president also informed the premier of his forthcoming visit to India.

Recalling his invitation extended in Washington, the prime minister conveyed the expectation of Pakistan of welcoming Obama in Islamabad sometime in the future. To this, Obama assured Sharif that he would undertake a visit to Pakistan as soon as the situation normalises in the country.

While referring to his own visit to India earlier this year, Sharif lamented that subsequent unfortunate steps on India’s part, including cancellation of foreign secretary level talks and the unprovoked firing across the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary indicated that India was averse to normalisation of relations with Pakistan and that the onus was on India to create a conducive environment for resumption of dialogue.

President Obama expressed his understanding for Pakistan’s position.

The prime minister further urged President Obama to take up the cause of Kashmir with the Indian leadership, as its early resolution would bring enduring peace, stability and economic cooperation to Asia.

Discussing the regional situation, the prime minister referred to the improvement of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, as manifest in President Ashraf Ghani’s recent visit to Islamabad. The US President appreciated efforts in this regard and called it pivotal for the peace and stability in the region.

On invitation of Indian PM Narendra Modi, Obama is expected to “travel to India in January 2015 to participate in the Indian Republic Day,” said a statement issued by the White House.

He will participate in the celebration as a chief guest in New Delhi, and the visit will “mark the first time a US president will have the honour of attending” the celebration.

1 COMMENT

  1. Obama you choose wrong Man again! in Islamic Pakistan you can't find anymore Gadaffi, Sadam, Honsi likes! Powerful Islamic Pakistan is very different! will come at you if you don't understand soon! death to Zionist Israel, Death to Zionist USA, Marg bar America! Go Zardari Go, Go Nawaz Go

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