Thaindian News

Washington, April 23(ANI): The United States needs to review its drone policy because of the ‘counter-productive methodology’ of the attacks launched by these unmanned aircraft, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir has said.

Bashir made this observation at a joint briefing with US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Marc Grossman, who declined to comment on the issue, when reminded that a fresh drone attack had killed 26 people in Pakistan.

The drones are seen as an important counter-terrorism tool in the US, but “that’s not exactly the way we look at it”, the Dawn quoted Bashir, as saying.

“The people of Pakistan consider these attacks - and the casualties that occur - as a source of concern,” he said, adding, “This particular methodology is counter-productive and needs a review.”

Grossman, who would not directly address the issue, assured Pakistan that “all efforts against terrorism are designed to make life safer for Pakistanis and Americans”.

The US and Pakistan diplomats, who came to the briefing after the morning session of their two-day talks aimed at paving the way for a strategic dialogue in Islamabad next month, stressed that both countries had a genuine desire to further strengthen their strategic ties.

“It is not necessary that we see eye to eye on every issue,” said Bashir, who described the two-day talks as “cordial, constructive and engaging”, and noted that both sides were willing to move forward and build a stronger relationship.

Grossman, who began his statement with a strong condemnation of a terrorist attack that killed a number of Pakistani soldiers, said: “We want a strong strategic relationship with Pakistan”, which helps both nations.

“Pakistan values its relations with the United States,” Bashir assured him, adding, “We had satisfying discussions and have agreed to give a new momentum to relations in the coming weeks.”

The Pakistan Foreign Secretary expressed hope that Grossman’s visit to Pakistan next week and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s possible visit in May for the next round of strategic dialogue would further strengthen US-Pak ties.

“My visit to Pakistan next week will show an effort to have a relationship that is strategic, long-term and mutually beneficial,” Grossman responded.

Bashir noted that there were “going to be ups and downs” in US-Pak ties, but both sides wanted to make sure that no misunderstanding derailed this relationship. (ANI)