Strategic dialogue with Pak not a possibility: State Department

Washington, Aug 5 (ANI): The US State Department has said that Washington is in contact with Pakistan, but strategic talks are not on the immediate horizon.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Pakistan and the US had agreed to work jointly on important issues, but as far as strategic dialogues were concerned, there was no possibility.

"We have said all along that we recognise that there are challenges in our relationship with Pakistan, but it's in both countries' strategic interest to work through those challenges and to build a long-term partnership," The Nation quoted Toner, as saying.

He also said that US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman's dialogue during the trilateral talks in Islamabad proved positive.

"He participated in the fourth core group meeting of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the US. In his meetings, in general, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the shared interest of our two countries, and acting on those interests in a joint way," Toner said.

"He also met with the core group to discuss the process of Afghan-led reconciliation, as well as regional economic development along the vision of the new Silk Road that Secretary Clinton laid out in Chennai. So it was a very productive set of meetings," he added.

Talking about movement of American diplomats in Pakistan, he echoed Grossman's comments, saying that they are being allowed to carry out their work. (ANI)