High-level US delegation lands in Pak to mend ties

Senior Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the US National Security Council Peter Lavoy and Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Olson are part of the delegation which will hold talks with civilian and military leaders, according to Pakistani officials. 

“The agenda of the talks is open and several issues will be discussed including drone strikes, strategic and defence matters and reconciliation process in Afghanistan,” an official from the Pakistan Foreign Office said. 

On sliding course: 

Pak-US ties are sliding down the hill due to difference over handling of peace issue in Afghanistan and US’ growing defence tie with India, especially a blanket support for India’s candidacy in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). 

According to Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, growing US-India ties were creating strategic instability as Washington’s support for Indian membership for the 48-nation NSG was discriminatory. Pakistan has also strongly protested the May 21 drone attack which killed Mansour.