WASHINGTON DC Pakistan and the United States have agreed upon building bilateral relations into a partnership encompassing cooperation beyond security, as Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilanis Sunday meeting with President Barack Hussian Obama brightened prospects of nuclear energy deal between the two countries. The Prime Minister referred to civilian nuclear programme in the context of dire energy needs of Pakistan, said Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi while briefing journalists after Prime Ministers Sunday afternoon meeting with the US President Obama ahead of the Nuclear Security Summit here. However, Qureshi rushed to add that he would like to keep it as a reference only that Pakistan had a vast experience of last 35 years in running the nuclear power plants with trained professional manpower and strong nuclear safety and security culture. And no such incident or untoward occurrence was seen that could be a matter of concern for the world, he added. Prime Minister Gilani later chatting with Pakistani media at a dinner kept himself confined to what, Foreign Minister Qureshi had already said in this regard during the briefing. However, on behalf the Prime Minister, Pakistans Ambassador in China and chief negotiator for the Summit, Masood Khan elaborated that in a precise meeting of this level and that too on sidelines of a multilateral event could be understood as sufficient mentioning of the national stance or demand. Furthering elaboration, Khan added, We have already sought a civilian nuclear programme at every forum. Earlier, Qureshi told the media that a new continuum and momentum was seen during the meeting of the Prime Minister Gilani and President Obama along respective delegations wherein the two leaders were determined to take the relationships to new heights. To a question, the Foreign Minister said, No, there was no discussion about Dr A Q Khan during meeting. According to the Foreign Minister, who was part of the Pakistani delegation led by Prime Minister Gilani at the Blair House meeting here, President Obama did mention New Delhis reservations on Pakistans proceedings against those involved in Mumbai incident that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Sindh had conveyed to him in their bilateral meeting. Explaining Obamas viewpoint on Pakistan and India relations, Qureshi said, What is said (from the US side during the meeting) was clear indication of their mind that they want to encourage two sovereign states to move toward normalisation, which was in the interest of all. It was in the context of saying, I find him (Singh) positive and if Pakistan moves in that direction it would be a constructive step forward, Qureshi said while quoting President Obama while talking to the Pakistans high powered delegation. Answering a question about the Summit Qureshi said, This Summit is not Pakistan specific and there is nothing of the sort to pressurise Pakistan over its nuclear program. To another question about the joint communiquT to be issued at the end of the Summit, he said, Let me put it in this way that we would live with it. Asked about any timeframe for Pakistan-US energy deal, he said, We have to establish linkage between energy and security and both should go in tandem. According to Qureshi, Obama was aware of Pakistans tough economic decisions that have overburdened the people. When Prime Minister pointed out that the peoples economic hardships could trigger political instability in Pakistan, Obama assured him that he would not let that happen and would expeditiously help Pakistan in getting access to markets not only in the US but also in Europe. According to the national statement in the Nuclear Security Summit, Pakistan termed its nuclear programme was defense driven and had four pillars of its security regime including well-defined command and control system, strict regulatory regime, extensive export control regime, and international cooperation consistent with national interests and international obligations. Pakistan has also proposed the establishment of a strategic restraint regime in South Asia as it has already concluded risk reduction and confidence building measures with India. According to the national statement, Pakistan has legitimate needs for power generation to meet growing energy demand of the expanding economy. Civil nuclear power generation under IAEA safeguards is an essential part of the national energy security plan to support sustained economic growth and industrial development. Pakistan has also welcomed the renewed international interest in nuclear power generation to meet the challenge of climate change. As a country with advanced fuel cycle capability, Pakistan is in a position to provide nuclear fuel cycle services under IAEA safeguards, and to participate in any non-discriminatory assurance mechanism.