US wants expanded multi-dimensional partnership with Pakistan: Kerry

ISLAMABAD: Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday said the United States was ready to improve and expand its multi-dimensional partnership with Pakistan and he would like to visit Pakistan in the near future to review bilateral cooperation and discuss regional issues.

During a meeting held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in the Lao capital Vientiane, Kerry exchanged views with Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz on the regional situation with special reference to Afghanistan and agreed on the importance of promoting the Afghan-led reconciliation process.

Kerry’s statement came amid tensions between the two sides on several issues including the halt of subsidized F-16 fighter planes and a US drone strike that killed the Afghan Taliban chief Mulla Akhtar Mansour in May.

Pakistan says the US attack in Balochistan has harmed efforts for the peace process in Afghanistan.

Kerry appreciated Pakistan’s determined efforts to eliminate terrorist groups in its tribal belt with considerable success, a Foreign Ministry statement said.  The two sides also reviewed the Pakistan-US bilateral relations.