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Friday, November 22, 2013
Pak-US Defence Consultative Group meets in WashingtonWASHINGTON: As part of the strategic dialogue, the Pakistan-US Defence Consultative Group (DCG) met on Thursday with an improved mutual understanding on cooperative efforts for Afghan peace and a resolve to sustain defence partnership beyond 2014.
The annual DCG meeting takes place on November 21-22 in a changing regional scenario as Pakistan and the United States have vastly improved their high-stakes strategic relationship from a low point in 2011, and both countries are committed to cooperating efforts for a stable and peaceful Afghanistan in the 2014 transition year.
There is understanding on both sides, both have understood each other’s perspective, not only in the war on terror but other regional and global issues from the security point of view, Defence Secretary Lt Gen (r) Asif Yasin Malik, who is heading the Pakistani delegation to the 22nd DCG meeting in Washington, told APP in an interview.
Islamabad has reaffirmed a strong commitment to see a peaceful, stable, united and prosperous Afghanistan on its western border. At the same time, Pakistan believes Washington is now more receptive to Pakistan’s concerns vis-à-vis Afghanistan as both have developed understanding of each others perspectives.
Pakistan is looking at close defence relations beyond 2014, the defence secretary said in reference to the emphasis that the decades-old Pakistan-US relationship is vital because of its own bilateral importance and is not merely confined to cooperation on Afghanistan.
“We are looking at sustained relationship beyond 2014.”
The Afghan security transition with drawdown of US and coalition troops next year, coupled with the presidential election has wide-ranging implications for Pakistan.
“We are very clear that we want a peaceful, stable, united and prosperous Afghanistan, and a peaceful Afghanistan augurs well for our areas adjoining Afghanistan, tribal areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Asif Malik said, reiterating Islamabad’s commitment to a peaceful Afghanistan.
Top US officials have been acknowledging Pakistan’s key support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process and for a smooth retrograde process of US and coalition equipment from its landlocked neighbour through its Ground Lines of Communication.
Additionally, Pakistan’s over 150,000 troops deployed along the Afghan border have been a tremendous support in enforcing security along Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The two delegations will discuss future opportunities for building defence cooperation as agreed during the prime minister’s visit to Washington last month and mentioned in the joint statement issued after the prime minister’s meeting with US President Barack Obama.
The DCG is a regular dialogue mechanism between defence communities of Pakistan and the United States. It is also one of the five working groups within the framework of Pakistan-US strategic dialogue.
Since its arrival the delegation has already engaged with a wide spectrum of policy community, including US Congressional leaders, senior officials at the Department of Defence, State Department and think tanks in the US capital.
According to the joint statement issued after the prime minister’s meeting with President Barack Obama last month, both leaders agreed that bilateral defence partnership should continue to grow and endure. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk