As part of the Strategic Dialogue, Pakistan-US Defence Consultative Group (DCG) met here on Thursday with improved mutual understanding on co-operative efforts for Afghan peace and resolve to sustain defence partnership beyond 2014.
The annual DCG meeting is taking place from 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 co-operative 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 Lieutenant General Asif Yasin Malik (Retd), who is heading the Pakistani delegation to the 22nd DCG meeting in Washington, told APP.
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 regarding 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 co-operation on Afghanistan. "We are looking at sustained relationship beyond 2014," he added.
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 co-operation as agreed during Prime Minister's visit to Washington last month and mentioned in the joint statement issued after the prime minister's meeting with 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. During these interactions, Defence Secretary Asif Yasin underscored that shared interests and mutual desirability of a strong partnership has enabled Pakistan and the US to build a strong momentum in bilateral defence co-operation.
Both sides are also engaged in shaping contours of an enduring defence partnership for the long term, he said. In the DCG meeting this week, Pakistan's Defence Secretary is scheduled to meet top leadership of Pentagon. During the dialogue both sides are expected to review the recent progress made in defence co-operation and discuss future opportunities in strengthening their long-standing partnership. The delegations will share their security assessments of the region and will have strategic consultations on the path forward.
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