Obama, Sharif discuss strategic partnership, economic growth

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with US President Barack Obama at the White House Wednesday for a meeting that highlighted the two countries' shared interests "in a stable, secure, and prosperous Pakistan and region," according to a joint statement released by the White House. The two leaders "expressed their conviction that an enduring US-Pakistan partnership is vital to regional and international security and recognized their shared interest in Pakistan's economic growth and development, regional stability, and mutually determined measures to counter terrorism," read the statement. They also discussed their partnership as "built on a foundation of mutual interest and respect" and noted its "resilient nature." Obama expressed his appreciation "for Pakistan's internal and regional security challenges and affirmed that a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan was an essential partner for the United States in the advancement of shared goals of peace, security, and socio-economic development in South Asia." He also welcomed the return of the US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, as did Sharif, and emphasized that it should "focus on people-centered initiatives and on results-oriented outcomes in support of the long-term stability, prosperity, and security" of the two countries. Obama and Sharif "underscored the importance of further reinforcing the positive momentum in the bilateral relationship by promoting people-to-people contacts, including parliamentary exchanges." Sharif thanked Obama for US contributions "made in supporting Pakistan's development efforts" while Obama "gave the assurance that the United States would strongly support efforts to enlarge and strengthen Pakistan's economy, particularly in the energy sector." The US is Pakistan's largest export market and "one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment," according to the statement. The two leaders agreed that terrorism is a "common challenge for humanity" and Obama thanked Sharif "for Pakistan's efforts to help defeat Al-Qaeda" as they both "expressed their deep appreciation for the sacrifices of military personnel and civilians in the fight against terrorism and extremism." Earlier this week the US announced it will be sending more than USD 1.5 billion in security assistance to Pakistan, after withholding on funding for some two years since tensions rose between the two countries following the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan