WASHINGTON - US National Security Adviser Susan Rice Friday commended Pakistan's efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia during a meeting with the visiting Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Tariq Fatemi.
A press release of the Pakistan Embassy said that the two sides discussed wide-ranging issues of mutual concern in the areas of peace and security, counter terrorism, defence and economic cooperation.
During the hour-long meeting, held in a "cordial" atmosphere at the White House, Fatemi briefed Ms Rice on the current regional situation and drew the attention of Dr Rice to the massive and systematic human rights violations in the Indian-occupied Kashmir. The recent escalation on the border and ceasefire violations by the Indian forces were also discussed and the special assistant made a particular reference to the killing of innocent civilians, as a result of indiscriminate firing by the Indian forces across the Line of Control and the Working Boundary.
Fatemi also briefed Dr Rice on Pakistan’s unprecedented successes in counter-terrorism, highlighting the sacrifices rendered by the people and security forces.
Dr Rice stressed that the United States attached the highest importance to its relations with Pakistan and expressed satisfaction with the progress made by both in enhancing their cooperation in multiple fields.
She especially expressed appreciation for Pakistan's participation in last week's Heart of Asia Conference on Afghanistan held in Amritsar.
Dr Rice also expressed her concern on the increasing escalation at the Line of Control, while affirming that the United States stood for dialogue and meaningful cooperation among the countries of the region.
Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani accompanied the special assistant.
The special assistant to the prime minister is in Washington on the first high-level visit from Pakistan after the November elections in the United States.
