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| India-Pakistan |
| First strategic dialogue between US, Pakistan |
| 2010-03-25 |
| [Al Arabiya Latest] The United States is hoping Wednesday to show Pakistan the benefits of its cooperation against extremism, but it looks set to disappoint Islamabad on its ambitious goal of a civilian nuclear deal. President Barack Obama's administration has cautiously welcomed what it sees as a shift in Pakistan and is looking to convince the country's public, where anti-Americanism runs rife, that it is committed to a long-term partnership. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmoud Qureshi and General Ashfaq Kayani, head of the powerful army, will hold a first-of-a-kind "strategic dialogue" with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday. Pakistan has come with a detailed wish-list in areas from improving access to water and energy to securing lethal drones. "We have a relationship that goes back 60 years, but I'm here to build a partnership," Qureshi said Tuesday at the Pakistani embassy. "And when you build a partnership, it has to be built on trust." Pakistan would like to forge an agreement to cooperate on civilian nuclear energy. A deal could help the developing country curb chronic blackouts -- and tacitly recognize Pakistan as the Islamic world's sole nuclear power. |
| Posted by:Fred |