Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif arrives in U.S. to boost relations

World Wednesday 04/October/2017 11:57 AM
By: Times News Service
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif arrives in U.S. to boost relations

Washington: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif arrived on Wednesday on a three-day visit to the U.S. as part of efforts to rebuild bilateral ties.
Asif, who will hold talks with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday, will meet top leadership of the Trump Administration during his visit.
He is also scheduled to meet U.S. National Security Advisor H R McMaster on Thursday.
The visit of the top Pakistani diplomat comes less than a fortnight of the US Vice President Mike Pence meeting the Pakistan Prime Minister Khaqan Abbasi in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.
The visit indicates a gradual resumption of talks between the two countries that was paused by an upset Pakistan after U.S. President Donald Trump announced his South Asia policy.
Releasing the daily engagement of Tillerson, the State Department said the two leaders would meet at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department.
"All the issues of mutual interest will be discussed," a spokesman of the Pakistan embassy in Washington DC said in response to a question.
The foreign minister will also deliver remarks at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), a Washington DC-based think-tank.
"Foreign Minister Asif will deliver remarks on Pakistan's reaction since the announcement of the new US strategy. He will discuss the dynamics between Pakistan and its neighbours, the role of regional players such as China, Iran and Russia, and the future of US-Pakistan relations," USIP said.