Thaindian News

Washington, April 21(ANI): Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir has arrived in Washington to hold talks with US officials as both nations seek ways to iron out differences and find “strategic convergences” to move their relationship forward.

Bashir is in the United States for two-day talks at the invitation of US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Marc Grossman, who will lead the American side in the meetings, which will be held at the State Department and the Pakistan Embassy in Washington.

“We are trying to focus on strategic convergences and both sides will share their strategic vision - try to resolve any difference of perceptions,” the Dawn quoted Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqani, as saying.

Security and foreign affairs experts believe that cooperative relations between Pakistan and the United States are critical to the outcome of the decade-old Afghan war.

“We look forward to moving forward,” Haqqani said in reference to Islamabad’s desire to address difficulties in US-Pak bilateral ties.

“There is realisation that neither country can afford or accept any major problem in the relationship - that the level of trust reached in the last two years is maintained - this relationship has internal strength,” he added.

In addition to bilateral issues, the discussions are expected to cover efforts towards the resolution of the Afghan conflict and the regional situation with reference to India.

Haqqani also expressed confidence that there would be resolution of “recent grievances to the satisfaction of Pakistan and in accordance with Pakistani national interests.” (ANI)