The national security advisers of the U.S. and Pakistan met in Geneva on May 23. Both sides said they “discussed a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest and ways to advance practical cooperation” and agreed to continue the conversation. A day later, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with Pakistani army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on the phone. The Pentagon said “Secretary Austin reiterated his appreciation for Pakistan’s support for Afghanistan Peace Negotiations and expressed his desire to continue to build on the U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relationship.” Last week, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told lawmakers in New York that Pakistan was seeking a broad-based, strategic partnership with America, which would also cover Afghanistan. Pentagon officials have acknowledged Pakistan allowing overflights and ground access as the U.S. and NATO complete troop withdrawal in Afghanistan.
