File Photo: US Secretary of State John Kerry. (Agence France-Presse)
US Secretary of State John Kerry held a meeting with Pakistani Army Chief General Raheel Sharif during which they discussed regional security issues.
"They discussed several items of mutual interest including ongoing efforts toward regional peace and security," the State Department Spokesperson, Jen Psaki, said today, a day after the meeting between Mr Kerry and Gen Sharif at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department.
"The Secretary recognised the tremendous sacrifices the Pakistani military has made in its efforts to improve the security situation in Pakistan and acknowledged Pakistan's commitment to counter all forms of terrorism and violent extremism," Mr Psaki said.
In a tweet after the meeting, Mr Kerry said he had a productive meeting with General Sharif. This was Mr Kerry's first official engagement at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department on his return after a long overseas trip that was followed by Thanksgiving holidays.
"Back in DC post-Thanksgiving; productive mtg w/#Pakistan Chief of Army Raheel Sharif at @StateDept," Mr Kerry twitted soon after the meeting.
A picture posted by Mr Kerry on his twitter account showed the Secretary of State shaking hand with Gen Sharif, dressed in civilian attire.
On his maiden visit to the US as the top Pakistani commander, General Sharif stayed in the US for nearly two weeks - one of the longest stay here by a Pak Army Chief.
In a series of tweets, Major General Asim Bajwa, Director General (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said General Sharif in his meeting with John Kerry gave the Pakistani perspective on regional security issues.
"Kerry acknowledged Pak role in fighting terror and its sacrifices," Mr Bajwa said, adding that the Secretary of State praised Pak Army's professionalism, and termed it as truly binding force.
The Secretary of State welcomed progress on improving Pak-Afghan relations as step to regional stability, and assured full support in this regard, Mr Bajwa said in his tweet.