Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's success as the democratically elected leader of this South Asian country is "very very important", US Vice President Joe Biden said today.
Such a remark by Biden gains significance given weeks of protest against Sharif by the supporters of cricketer-turned- politician Imran Khan fuelling speculation of a military coup.
Biden holding Sharif's hand several times during his brief opening remarks in front of the media at the UN headquarters in New York was mean to send a strong signal to the Pakistan military that the US supports a strong democratically elected government in Pakistan.
The success of Sharif as a democratically elected leader of a country of such consequence "is very very important", Biden told reporters.
Biden said US and Pakistan have "enormous mutual interest".
"We are both striving together to combat terrorism, to provide for prosperity for people, expand trade opportunities and access to education. There is a great deal that our countries can do together, bilaterally and internationally," Biden said.
Noting that the US has a great interest in Pakistan's success, Biden said this is not one of those things of a zero sum game. "The better you do, the happy we are. The better you do, the more better off the United States is," he said.
"The bilateral relations have improved further. I am looking forward to constructive talks again today," Sharif said.
Observing that there are a lot of developments taking place all over the world, Sharif said there is need to exchange views on different subjects and how the two countries can evolve policies on these issues.
Sharif was accompanied by a host of officials including Sartaj Aziz, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, and the Pakistan Ambassador to the US, Jalil Abbas Jilani.
The Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Dan Feldman, was also present at the meeting.
Earlier in the day, Biden and Sharif co-chaired a meeting on UN peacekeeping missions. "We have made real progress," Biden said.
