FM Qureshi: ‘Elimination of terrorism’ a key goal for Pakistan; Manmohan Singh and Yousaf Gilani decide to ‘revive’ dialogue process; US reaffirms that its relationship with Pakistan is “absolutely vital”;
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    • Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, addressing the 32nd session of the SAARC Council of Ministers in Thimpu on April 27, stated that the ‘elimination of terrorism’ from the region was the key goal of Pakistan and urged regional cooperation to achieve the objective. Qureshi also raised issues of water and energy security during the Summit.1

    PM Dr. Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Gilani met on the sidelines of the SAARC summit and decided to ‘revive’ the dialogue process. Foreign Minister Qureshi told reporters that the talks were positive and that the framework for the renewed talks would be decided at the Foreign Secretary-level talks in consultation with respective Foreign Ministers.2

    US Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Michele Flournoy testifying in the US Congress regarding the funding on counter-terrorism operations in Pakistan asserted that the US relationship with Pakistan was “absolutely vital” not only strategically but also on key areas like water and energy security.3 The US also announced its decision to supply two P-3 Orion surveillance aircraft to Pakistan to assist its security forces in the fight against militancy.4 Another senior official of the US State Department in a Congressional hearing on April 29 stated that resolving tensions between India and Pakistan was an issue of “high priority”.5

    In other developments, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Assistance to Pakistan, Jean-Maurice Ripert stated that it was essential that western donors pour aid to support people in areas where the Taliban has recently been defeated so that the people will not turn back to supporting the Taliban.6

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