2010-07-13 17:36

ISLAMABAD - Top defense institutions of Pakistan and the United States are holding dialogue in Islamabad " to foster understanding" between the two forums and the respective countries, an army statement said on Tuesday.

The National Defense University, Islamabad and the National Defense University Washington Strategic Dialogue will also know each other's perception about some of the vital international and regional issues, the statement said.

The dialogue will conclude on Tuesday.

Besides the delegates representing both the institutions, about 75 participants including eminent scholars from all over the country are attending the inaugural session.

The Dialogue will focus on four major themes, including Pak-US relations: Overcoming misperceptions and promoting long term cooperation, Situation in Afghanistan and its spillover: Quest for stability, Strategic stability in South Asia: US role and influence, and Recent and ongoing counterinsurgency and Low Intensity Conflict operations.

During the two-day long deliberations eminent civil and military scholars and experts from both sides will speak on the topics as highlighted above, followed by discussion, the statement said.

The dialogue is held at a time when Gen. David Petraeus, NATO International Security Force Commander, met Pakistan's army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the US embassy and Pakistan army have said

This was Gen. Petraeus' first visit to Pakistan as the NATO ISAF Commander, although he has long-established relationships with the Pakistani military from his time as the US Central Command commander, the embassy said in a statement.

"Recent events demonstrate both the common threat posed to Pakistan and Afghanistan by insurgents and the efforts that the Pakistan military are making to counter this threat," said Gen. Petraeus after the meeting, according to the US embassy

"I look forward to continuing to work with General Kayani to identify areas of mutual interest and to cooperate in efforts that can help improve regional security."

An army statement said that both military commanders discussed the matters of professional interest and expressed satisfaction over the level of cooperation between the two forces.