Pompeo meets Pak FM Qureshi in Washington; discusses Iran, Afghanistan, Kashmir issue

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday met with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in Washington DC and discussed a host of issues including latest developments in Middle East, Afghan peace process, stability in South Asia and Kashmir issue.

"In my meeting today with US Secretary of State @SecPompeo, discussed engment between Pakistan and US, its mutual benefit, along with it being a factor for stability in South Asia. Exchanged how stronger tre and investment is imp for an enduring partnership," he said. " convergence between Pakistan and US stands as a unique opp for peace in Afghanistan, ultimately a shared responsibility. Discussed recent developments in ME and reiterated Pakistan will continue to play a part for peace in entire region. We are committed to security and stability," Qureshi said in a follow-up tweet. Qureshi also discussed situation in Jammu and Kashmir with top US diplomat.

On or hand, Pompeo said he "enjoyed" meeting with Qureshi and talked about issues including Afghan peace process, "countering Iranian aggression" and bilateral tre relations. State Department also issued a statement on meeting between Qureshi and Pompeo. "Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi today in Washington, D.C. Secretary Pompeo and Minister Qureshi discussed a range of issues, including Iran's malign activities in region, importance of U.S.-Pakistan cooperation on Afghan peace process, and building bilateral ecomic ties." State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said.

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Qureshi is on a two-day visit to US in a bid to support efforts for de-escalating and resolving tensions in Middle East through political and diplomatic means. Pakistan Foreign Minister is undertaking visit under directions of Prime Minister Imran Khan in wake of simmering tensions in region following killing of top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani by US in Iraq earlier this month. 

Pakistan's balancing Act between Iran-US

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi h called for "maximum restraint" and accentuated need to talk to resolve latest flare-up in Iran-US tensions. Pakistani Foreign Officer released statement after Qureshi's meeting with top Iranian leership. On directions of Imran Khan, Pakistan Foreign Minister h even embarked on his two-day visit last week to Iran and Saudi Arabia to defuse ongoing tensions in region following killing of Iran's Commander Qasem Soleimani in a US-led drone strike in Baghd. 

Pakistan's Army h asserted that country, that shares its border with Iran, will t allow its soil to be used against anyone. In 1980s Pakistan's soil was used against Soviet Union by US. In a similar proclamation, Imran Khan said that Pakistan will t be a party to any regional conflict, and would rar make a peacemarker's role. Pakistan's first response over issue did t come from government, but unsurprisingly, from Pakistani military. 

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(with ANI inputs)