US lauds Pakistan’s support for Afghanistan peace process

  • 5/24/2021
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Saudi Gazette report WASHINGTON — US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held talks on Monday with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa over the telephone to discuss shared regional interests and objectives. During the call, Secretary Austin reiterated his appreciation for Pakistan’s support for Afghanistan peace negotiations and expressed his desire to continue to build on the US–Pakistan bilateral relationship, according to a statement from the US Department of Defense on Monday. “Secretary Austin and General Bajwa discussed regional dynamics and our shared interest in security and stability in the region, the statement read.Last week, US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Affairs David F Helvey lauded Pakistan for playing an important role in supporting the peace process in Afghanistan while addressing lawmakers of the Senate Armed Services Committee in the US. He was responding to a question from Senator Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, about his "assessment of Pakistan" and its intelligence agencies and the role expected by both in the future. “Pakistan has played an important role in Afghanistan. They supported the Afghan peace process. Pakistan also has allowed us to have overflight and access to be able to support our military presence in Afghanistan,” Helvey said. Meanwhile, in another development, the national security advisors of the United States and Pakistan met in Geneva on Sunday, according to a statement from the US Department of State. In the meeting, both sides discussed a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest and discussed ways to advance practical cooperation. Both sides agreed to continue the conversation.

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