Trump admin committed to strong ties with Pakistan: US National Security Adviser

ISLAMABAD: US National Security Adviser Lieutenant General H. R. McMaster on Monday assured Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that the administration of US President Donald Trump remains committed to a strong relationship with Pakistan.

"General McMaster conveyed the greetings of President Trump and assured the Prime Minister that the new administration was committed to strengthening bilateral relations and working with Pakistan," a statement from the PM Office said, relating to the meeting between the Prime Minister and the US National Security Adviser at the PM House earlier today.

The meeting was the first formal high-level exchange between the US and Pakistan under the Trump administration.

The Prime Minister 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.

The Prime Minister 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 across-the-board consensus achieved by his government to combat extremism and terrorism and structural reforms in the 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.

The Prime Minister said that as a longstanding friend and partner, Pakistan was looking forward to forging a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with the US and 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 US NSA 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, the Prime Minister conveyed Pakistan's readiness to work with the international community to explore ways in which the Afghan crisis can be resolved.

Read: Afghan ambassador says joint operation against TTP chief Fazlullah possible

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 India and Pakistan, including the Kashmir dispute.

He welcomed President Trump's willingness to help India and Pakistan 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.

Also read: Pakistan urges US to help defuse tensions with India over Kashmir

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 Ishaq Dar, Advisor to PM Sartaj Aziz, PM's Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, NSA Lt. General (retired) Nasser Khan Janjua and other senior government officials.

Earlier today, the Prime Minister also chaired a meeting of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders belonging to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The agenda of the meeting, which was held in Islamabad, included discussions on party matters and the current political situation.