Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met on Thursday United States Under Secretary of Defense John Rood and discussed various aspects of Pakistan-US defense cooperation as well as the evolving regional situation.
According to a statement by the Foreign Office, Qureshi informed Rood about his recent visits to the regional countries to diffuse tensions. He further stated that Pakistan remained deeply concerned about the prospects of any instability in its neighbourhood.
The FM said that Pakistan remains ready to play its due role in finding peaceful solution to the tensions between US and Iran.
The Foreign Minister apprised Rood about Pakistan's various efforts for peace and stability in the South Asian region. "He said that the US decision to revive International Military Education and Training (IMET) programme for Pakistan had significant symbolic value and was a welcome first step in further reviving bilateral military cooperation," the statement read.
Met US Under Secretary of Defense John Rood to discuss defense cooperation, one of the imp features of Pak-US bilat relationship. US revival of Intl Military Education & Training (IMET) programme w/ Pakistan is welcome first step in further reviving bilateral military co-op. pic.twitter.com/7WukdiCaA9
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) January 17, 2020
Meanwhile, the FM also held meetings with US lawmakers from the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The US lawmakers included Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee Senator Mitt Romney, Senator Chris Murphy and Senator Jim Risch.
Productive meeting with leadership of Senate Foreign Relations Committee at Capitol Hill including @SenatorMenendez, Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, @MittRomney ,Chair of Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Asia, Senators @ChrisMurphyCT & @SenatorRisch. pic.twitter.com/spuMTLI7HF
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) January 16, 2020