ISLAMABAD – Resuming the strategic bilateral defence dialogue with Pakistan after a 18-month break, the United States has agreed to fulfil Pakistan’s urgent defence needs in the fight against terror.
“Recognising the enduring security requirements on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, the two delegations agreed to cooperate on a prioritised set of Pakistan’s defence requirements,” a statement issued at the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the Pakistan-US Defence Consultative Group on Tuesday said.
Defence Secretary Lt Gen Asif Yasin Malik (retd) and the US Undersecretary of Defence for Policy, Dr James Miller, led their sides at the talks held in Rawalpindi.
Officials from both countries identified areas of future defence cooperation for achieving shared objectives and committed to a ‘strong defence relationship’.
It was not clear what military hardware would be provided to Pakistan to meet urgent requirements in the fight against militants in tribal areas. Pakistan’s intended shopping list has always been a very long one, but there are some critical needs like spares for maintenance of its helicopter fleet.
