Defence Minister emphasizes need to further diversify Pak-US relations

Islamabad: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Friday emphasized the need to further diversify Pak-US relations in the realm of defence.

He was talking to US Ambassador Donald Blome who called on him in Islamabad today.

The Minister called for enhanced defence cooperation framework between the two countries with a broader outlook ranging from counter-terrorism to conventional defence.

He highlighted the successful interaction with the US government to government fora.

Both sides discussed mutual interest and bilateral cooperation in the fields of defence, energy and infrastructure development.

Khawaja Asif highlighted the importance of stable and prosperous Afghanistan for region as a whole and for Pakistan in particular.

The two sides were of the view that national and regional security was an important and common concern.

Earlier in the day, the United States reiterated its commitment to strengthen economic ties with Pakistan.

At his regular press briefing in Washington, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said the ongoing bilateral ministerial meetings with Pakistan on trade and investment in Washington exemplify our resolve.

He said we believe that a robust trade relationship between the United States and Pakistan is important to bolster Pakistan's economic stability and will help expose the US businesses to Pakistani markets.

Ned Price said the United States has long been Pakistan's largest export market with potential for even further growth.

Replying to a question about recent visit of a high level Pakistani delegation to Afghanistan, the State Department Spokesperson said the United States has shared interest with Pakistan in ensuring that terrorist groups that may be active in Afghanistan are no longer able to threaten regional stability and that the Taliban should live up to the commitments they have made.