Clinton, Zardari discuss Indo-Pak ties, anti-US protests

September 25, 2012 12:48 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 11:04 pm IST - New York

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton introduces newly appointed US Ambassador to Pakistan Rick Olson to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in New York on Monday.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton introduces newly appointed US Ambassador to Pakistan Rick Olson to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in New York on Monday.

The improving trade ties between Pakistan and India, terrorism and violent anti-US protests were among a host of issues that Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari discussed with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when they met here on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.

Mr. Zardari brought up the issue of the anti-Islam movie with Ms. Clinton and the two leaders “spent quite a bit of time talking about the violence throughout the region,” that has resulted in the aftermath of the movie, a State Department official told reporters after the meeting on Monday.

Ms. Clinton reiterated that those who provoke violence cannot be tolerated and it undermines the sovereignty of states.

Over 20 people were killed across Pakistan in violent protests against the film deemed offensive to Islam.

The Pakistani side also stressed that there was “zero tolerance” for both violence and extremism.

Mr. Zardari, who will address the world body today, was accompanied by Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.

The two leaders also discussed the “growing trade relationship between Pakistan and India even as noted in the recent visit... (and) discussion of the Commerce Secretaries (of the two countries),” the official added.

The two leaders also talked about continued counter— terrorism cooperation, including efforts by the US to squeeze the Haqqani Network, which was recently designated as a foreign terrorist organisation.

The State Department official also said that the US and Pakistan hope to sign a bilateral investment treaty by the end of the year to boost economic ties.

As the two countries aim to focus on building relations, significant working groups constituted between them will be meeting before the end of the year, among them being one on counter—terrorism and law enforcement, which will address counter IEDs.

“So there’s a lot that we’re re—energising at this point. I don’t think anyone wants to set expectations too high or too broad. But I think the general trajectory is certainly one that we’ve worked very, very hard,” the officials said.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.