Pakistan-US talks to seek resolution of issues: Haqqani

“We look forward to moving forward,” the Pakistani envoy said in reference to difficulties in bilateral ties. — File Photo

WASHINGTON: Foreign Secretary, Salman Bashir will begin a series of meetings with senior US officials Thursday during which the two sides will focus on “strategic convergences” and resolve recent grievances to keep the strategic partnership on track, Islamabad’s ambassador to the United States Hussain Haqqani said.
The envoy said neither side wants to jeopardize the critical relationship and sounded confident on approaching differences in perceptions and resolving recent issues to the satisfaction of Pakistan.
Foreign Secretary, Bashir will spearhead Pakistani delegation in two rounds of meetings of a steering group. The meetings will be held at the State Department and the Pakistani embassy.
US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Marc Grossman will lead the American side.
“We are trying to focus on strategic convergences and both sides will share their strategic vision, try to resolve any difference of perceptions,” said Haqqani.
The envoy also felt confident that there would be resolution of “recent grievances to the satisfaction of Pakistan and in accordance with Pakistani national interests,” Haqqani said.
The meetings take place in the backdrop of tensions that arose from CIA contractor, Raymond Davis killing of two Pakistanis and Islamabad’s objections to frequent drone strikes in Pakistani tribal areas.
Both sides will issue a joint statement at the end of the meetings, also to be attended by Assistant Secretary of State, Robert Blake and Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Thomas Nides.
“We look forward to moving forward,” the Pakistani envoy said in reference to difficulties in bilateral ties.
“There is realization 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,” said Haqqani, who in his remarks referred to positive statements of Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman Joint Chiefs Staff and John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Responding to a question, he said relations between friends are based on shared interests and mutual accommodation.
The discussion is expected to cover efforts towards resolution of the Afghan conflict and regional situation with reference to Pakistan’s eastern neighbor India.
A reconciliation process in Afghanistan for end to conflict “will inevitably include Pakistan” and “the US realizes that,” the ambassador said.
Pakistan has strategic interests in Afghanistan.
He also stated that the US has accepted that their actions have led to some difficulties but at the same time said the best recourse is to resolve grievances, while keeping national interests supreme.
“We should try to seek a resolution of our grievances and issues rather than generating an environment of anti-Americanism that render diplomacy difficult,” he said in reply to a question. He noted that anti-Pakistan lobbies in the United States exploit a situation of antagonism between the two countries.

In answer to a question, Ambassador Haqqani said Pakistan always keeps its national interests ahead of all other considerations in pursuing its foreign policy.

Haqqani said the meetings during Foreign Secretary Bashir’s visit will “reset the priorities in the relations” in a manner in which apparent trouble of last few months would be put behind.
The ambassador expected bilateral visits by presidents of both countries and also the next round of strategic dialogue taking place in Islamabad in the near future.