WASHINGTON, Oct 22: On the eve of the Obama-Sharif meeting, the White House emphasised the need improve “a very important” relationship with Pakistan, which also has “a lot of complexity to it”.

White House Press Secretary James Carney told a briefing in Washington that the United States regarded this relationship as “obviously … very important” and wanted to work with Pakistan to rebuild once closed ties.

“It’s one that’s obviously got a lot of complexity to it, but it’s enormously valuable when it comes to US national security and to the safety and security of the American people,” he said.

Mr Carney also acknowledged that the two countries had differences over some issues but those differences could be removed with some efforts.

“We want to find ways for our countries to cooperate, even as we have differences on some issues,” he said.

“And we want to make sure that the trajectory of this relationship is a positive one.”

The statement reflects the US desire to re-engage Pakistan after two years of high tensions that began with a shooting in Lahore and intensified after the US raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad and the bombing of a Pakistani military post.

Relations began to improve early this year and earlier this week, the US State Department informed Congress that it was resuming $1.6 billion of stalled aid to Pakistan as part of efforts to strengthen its counterterrorism drive.

But in his remarks at the US Institute of Peace on Tuesday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif acknowledged that drones strikes in Fata, was a “major irritant” in the bilateral relationship.

The Americans, on the other hand, are seeking greater cooperation from Pakistan in their efforts to contain the militants in Afghanistan, paving the way for an orderly withdrawal of American troops from the country.

The White House said it hoped Prime Minister Sharif’s meetings in Washington would “provide an opportunity to discuss concrete cooperation on issues of mutual concern”.

Mr Carey identified energy, trade and economic development, regional stability, and, “of course, countering violent extremism”, as the issues on which the United States would like to work with Pakistan.

“We want to advance our shared interest of a stable, secure, and prosperous Pakistan that is contributing to regional and international security and prosperity,” he said.

At a separate briefing at the State Department, spokesperson Marie Harf said that the $1.6 billion assistance the US was now releasing was separate from what the Obama administration had earmarked in its budget proposals for the 2014 fiscal year.

“Implementation of this ($1.6 billion) assistance was slowed during 2011-2012 when we had some bilateral challenges,” she said.

“I would note during that time period civilian assistance did continue moving forward.”

Asked about figurs for economic and military components of the US aid, Ms Harf said the amount was almost evenly divided between security and economic sectors.