Usman Ansari
ISLAMABAD — The latest Pak-US Strategic Dialogue held this week delivered little of real substance, although there were some surprises and the outcome was generally positive, analysts say.
The bilateral relationship is improving in breadth and scope, but key differences remain, most notably over Pakistan’s nuclear program.
The strategic dialogue included discussions on measures to reduce the risk of Indo-Pakistani conflict; recognition of the need for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute; preventing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and delivery of technology; supporting the Afghan peace and reconciliation process; countering terrorism; as well as defense and security cooperation.
Yet despite the wide ranging statement released after the talks “there's really not much of substance," Brian Cloughley, analyst and former Australian defense attaché to Islamabad, said. Even so, he added, "It is generous of the US to pledge $250 million for ‘relief, recovery and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons from the [Federally Administered Tribal Areas]’, and the tenor is generally positive.”
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