 "US encourages Pak to increase regional trade including India")
Commending the Nawaz Sharif Government for taking bold measures to liberalise Pakistan's economy, the United States has said it encourages the country to increase its regional trade, including that with India.
"We encourage steps to increase regional trade, including with India. Steps that increase regional trade support the New Silk Road vision of an economically integrated region," the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Heather Higginbottom said.
She said this in her remarks at a dinner hosted for Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs, by the Pakistani Embassy here. Aziz is leading a high-power delegation for US-Pak Strategic Dialogue with Secretary of State John Kerry.
Pakistan is a huge market for US businesses and the US is Pakistan's largest trading partner. In 2012, the trade between the nations was worth more than $5 billion, she said.
"But together there is much more we can and will do to deepen this economic relationship. We see Pakistan's prosperity as good for the Pakistani people, as good for Americans, and good for the region. We have repeatedly learned that countries gain more from economic cooperation than from isolation," Higginbottom said.
Sha said Pakistan and the US agree that a peaceful, stable, independent and united Afghanistan is in the interest of the region.
Observing that economics and security are closely linked, she recognised the terrible price, both in terms of lives and resources, that the people of Pakistan have paid at the hands of terrorists and militants.
"The United States also has suffered greatly due to terrorism. We have a shared interest in continuing to seek avenues for cooperation in the security realm. We have already taken important steps together, including efforts to counter improvised explosive devices. These steps have saved thousands of Pakistani and US lives," Higginbottom said.
"We encourage steps to increase regional trade, including with India. Steps that increase regional trade support the New Silk Road vision of an economically integrated region," the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Heather Higginbottom said.
She said this in her remarks at a dinner hosted for Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs, by the Pakistani Embassy here. Aziz is leading a high-power delegation for US-Pak Strategic Dialogue with Secretary of State John Kerry.
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"The US commends the tough choices that Prime Minister Sharif and his Cabinet have already made to reinvigorate Pakistan's economy," the American diplomat said at the dinner, which was also attended by Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan James Dobbins.
Pakistan is a huge market for US businesses and the US is Pakistan's largest trading partner. In 2012, the trade between the nations was worth more than $5 billion, she said.
"But together there is much more we can and will do to deepen this economic relationship. We see Pakistan's prosperity as good for the Pakistani people, as good for Americans, and good for the region. We have repeatedly learned that countries gain more from economic cooperation than from isolation," Higginbottom said.
Sha said Pakistan and the US agree that a peaceful, stable, independent and united Afghanistan is in the interest of the region.
Observing that economics and security are closely linked, she recognised the terrible price, both in terms of lives and resources, that the people of Pakistan have paid at the hands of terrorists and militants.
"The United States also has suffered greatly due to terrorism. We have a shared interest in continuing to seek avenues for cooperation in the security realm. We have already taken important steps together, including efforts to counter improvised explosive devices. These steps have saved thousands of Pakistani and US lives," Higginbottom said.