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Sunday, July 24, 2011
No need for cajoling on militancy: Khar
* Foreign minister says Pakistan, US share the strategic objective of combating terror groups
* India serious in composite dialogue
NUSA DUA/ BALI: The United States and Pakistan share the strategic objective of combating terror groups and Islamabad does not need any cajoling on the issue, asserted Federal Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, while talking to reporters, after her first high-profile test when she met US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Saturday on the sidelines of an Asian security conference in Bali, Indonesia.
Exchanging views on bilateral relations and taking stock of the regional situation, the two top diplomats agreed that there existed strategic convergence between Pakistan and the US and that there was a need to translate it into a “win-win situation”.
Clinton underscored the importance of bilateral relations, noting that Pakistan, as a nation, had great potential. She said that terrorism was a common threat both to Pakistan and the US, and stressed the need for continued close cooperation against the menace.
The two diplomats also emphasised the need for an early convening of the strategic dialogue.
According to a Foreign Office statement, the two leaders also agreed that an early return of peace and stability in Afghanistan would have a positive impact on overall situation in the region.
Hina told reporters that she expected positive results from a meeting with her Indian counterpart next week. “ India is serious in composite dialogue process. (And) my expectation is to have positive development in our relationship with India.”
Asked if Clinton prodded her on tackling terrorists operating from within Pakistan, she said, “We have the same strategic objective.”
“Pakistan is the first one to suffer because of terrorism, because of militancy. Pakistan is doing it for itself. You don’t need cajoling on that, that is in our national interest.”
Talking to a private news channel, the foreign minister said Pakistan was pro-actively engaging with neighbouring countries, particularly Afghanistan and India, to achieve sustainable peace and stability in the region.
She said the priority of her government in the conference with India was to set a future direction in the bilateral relationship.
Highlighting Pakistan’s position during the upcoming talks, she said the government wanted to “look at the entire picture and at the root-causes of problems”.
Earlier, speaking at the 18th ASEAN Regional Forum meeting, Hina urged the international community to recognise Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
She said that Pakistan was making its contribution towards peace and stability in the region, adding the country supported early return of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Besides Clinton, the foreign minister also met Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexey Nikolaevich Borodavkin and Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegava. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk