Advance regional peace amid Indo-Pak tensions: Rice to Pak

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday told US National Security Advisor Susan Rice that Pakistan wants a “meaningful” dialogue with India on all outstanding issues, as she “encouraged” Islamabad to advance regional peace and stability.

In his meeting with Rice, Sharif, while talking about ties with India, informed the US delegation the reasons behind the cancellation of talks between NSAs of India and Pakistan, Dawn News reported.

Sharif said Pakistan wants to hold a “meaningful” and “objective” dialogue on all outstanding issues with New Delhi. Rice arrived in Pakistan on a day-long visit to exchange views on various matters and prepare agenda for Sharif’s visit to the US in October.

A statement by Sharif’s office, that made no direct reference to his comments on ties with India, said the meeting “focused on matters of bilateral interest and the future of Pakistan-US relations.” 

“The situation in the region also came under discussion,” it said without giving details.

Rice, before leaving for Washington, tweeted, “In Islamabad on Sunday, discussed how to deepen cooperation to tackle shared priorities. Encouraged Pakistan to advance regional peace and stability.” 

During her visit here, Rice held talks with the top Pakistani leadership including PM Sharif, her counterpart Sartaj Aziz and army chief Gen Raheel Sharif. Media reports had said the US National Security Advisor was making an “emergency visit” to Pakistan as part of the American effort to reduce the ongoing Indo-Pak tensions.