Pakistani PM Nawaz discusses counter-terrorism with Obama

President Barack Obama meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met the US President Barack Obama at the White House on Oct. 22, 2015. They discussed Pakistan’s resolve to take effective action against United Nations-designated terrorist individuals and entities, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its affiliates.

President Obama and Prime Minister Nawaz agreed that improvement in Pakistan-India bilateral relations would greatly enhance prospects for lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

The leaders emphasized the importance of a sustained dialogue process between the two nuclear-armed neighbors aimed at resolving all outstanding territorial and other disputes, including Kashmir.

Obama also lauded Pakistan for hosting and facilitating the first round of talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban in July 2015 and highlighted the opportunity presented by Pakistan’s willingness to facilitate a reconciliation process that would help end insurgent violence in Afghanistan.

Nawaz maintained that Pakistan’s territory will not be used against any other country and noted that this is an obligation of all countries in the region.

The joint statement released covers their discussion about economic growth, trade, investment, civil society cooperation, education, climate change, energy, promoting global health, regional security, counter-terrorism, defense cooperation, cyber-security, strategic stability, nuclear security and non-proliferation.

Earlier, Obama had welcomed Nawaz Sharif at the White House on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, PM Sharif thanked the US president for his hospitality and inviting him to visit the United States. He said that both the countries have a 70-year long relationship.

Emphasizing the strong relations both countries share, the US president said “Pakistani community is playing an important role in development and progress of the United States”.

“United States wants to enhance its cooperation with Pakistan in science and technology,” he added.

In a prior meeting, the US Vice President Joe Biden said Pakistan has made remarkable economic progress in last two years.

They vowed to further strengthen Pak-US cooperation and agreed to carry forward the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.