FO seeks resumption of strategic dialogue with US

Seeking resumption of Strategic Dialogue to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and the US, Foreign Office Thursday said that the two countries are engaged in a comprehensive dialogue to bridge the gap between perceptions of the two countries on different issues. Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal told his weekly media briefing that following the recent high-level contacts, both Pakistan and the US are trying to reach a consensus on how to move forward.
He said the process of renewed engagement started when Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met American leadership on sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York which was followed by exchange of several visits by senior officials of the two countries and delegation level talks. To a question, he said the US Congress, while finalizing the National Defense Bill for 2018, has authorized reimbursement of $700 million in Coalition Support Fund (CSF) for Pakistan. This is a new authorization for finical year 2018, he said, adding the $700 million have no linkage with the previous pending amount.
"Pakistan is actively engaged in dialogue with the US at all levels, and believes that dialogue is the best way forward to enhance cooperation between the two sides," he added. He said that efforts are underway to bridge the gap between the perceptions of the two countries in wake of President Trump's South Asia and Afghanistan policy, and to arrive at a consensus on moving forward and exploring avenues of cooperation between both sides.
He pointed out that both the countries have the Strategic Dialogue mechanism, which has been dysfunctional since 2013, adding that also needs to be restarted. On the latest cruise missile test by India, he said Pakistan was not notified by the Indian side over its cruise missile test, adding the bilateral agreement on pre-notification of missiles tests covers only ballistic missiles and cruise missiles are not covered.
"Developments like these endanger the strategic stability in South Asia. This underscores the need for Pakistan and India to engage in meaningful discussions on further measures for confidence building, avoidance of arms race and promotion of strategic stability in South Asia, among other issues," he said, adding Pakistan stands ready for such talks with India. "Our proposal for a Strategic Restraint Regime for South Asia is still on the table," he added.
He said the international community should also take note of the reports that India has been exercising "strategic restraint" on its missile development prior to getting the MTCR membership. "This speaks of the Indian duplicity in paying lip service to the objective of non-proliferation, while secretly pursuing a conventional and strategic arms buildup," he said, adding that massively increased Indian defense budget and intensified buildup of arms by the Indian army is spurring an arms race in the region which is counterproductive.
When asked about the possibility of talks between Pakistan and India on CPEC as indicated in media reports, he said Pakistan continues to hold the position that only through uninterrupted, uninterruptible, meaningful and result-oriented dialogue all outstanding disputes with India, including the Jammu & Kashmir dispute, will be resolved. At the moment, India is not willing to hold any dialogue, he said, adding there is no prospect of talks on CPEC with India.
To another query, he said Pakistan remains committed to the SAARC process and has always played an active role in the organization. He pointed out that last year Pakistan had made all the arrangements to hold the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad which was unfortunately postponed when India decided to scuttle the SAARC process on the basis of some unfounded presumptions and allowed bilateral problems to cast shadow on this multilateral forum.
"We are in touch with the SAARC Secretariat and hope that with the consensus of all member states, the Summit will be held in Islamabad," he added. On cross-border terror attacks from Afghanistan, he said that presence of terrorist 'safe havens' in Afghanistan is an established reality and that the report of US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) itself confirms that more than 43 percent of Afghan territory is not under the control of the Afghan government.
"This is alarming as it provides opportunity for all kinds of terrorist groups to use these as sanctuaries for terrorist activities. Afghanistan neighbours including Pakistan are seriously affected by this situation. Pakistan never initiates fire," he said, adding Pakistani security forces only fire when they are fired upon.
On Indian propaganda of display of anti-Pakistan material in European countries including in London, he said Pakistan High Commission in London has made a fresh demarche to Foreign and Commonwealth Offices regarding display of anti-Pakistan slogans on London buses.
He said Pakistan Mission has taken up the matter with Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) also to stop the ongoing malicious campaign using billboards. "It is a matter of deep concern for us, as these slogans directly impinge on our sovereignty and territorial integrity, it is a violation of UN Charter and is completely unacceptable to us," he said.
He said Pakistan is aware of the intentions of such sinister campaigns, which should not be allowed on the soil of a friendly country. On offer of allowing Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife to meet him, he said the gesture by government of Pakistan regarding the visit of Jadhav's wife is purely based on humanitarian grounds. On the US Defense Secretary's expected visit to Pakistan next month, he expressed his inability to confirm, saying he has no information on US Defense Secretary's visit.