WASHINGTON: The United States and Pakistan could play an important role in restarting the Afghan reconciliation process, says the White House.

In a statement sent to various media outlets, the White House noted that US Vice President Joe Biden’s meeting with Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif was a follow up to a breakfast meeting he had with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Washington on Oct 22.

Also read: Afghan peace process best course of action in Pakistan's view: Aziz

In Thursday’s meetings, Mr Biden and Gen Sharif addressed ongoing efforts to strengthen US-Pakistan relations, the White House said.

Mr Biden reaffirmed the United States’ interest in building a strong partnership with Pakistan that addressed shared counter-terrorism, economic, and regional security concerns.

Mr Biden thanked Gen Sharif for his “steadfast support to counter-terrorism cooperation with the United States and underscored the importance of expanding efforts to help further strengthen regional security”.

“Both leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to peace in Afghanistan and the important role that the United States and Pakistan can play to support a reinvigorated reconciliation process in coordination with Afgh­anis­tan,” it added.

At a news briefing at the State Department, spokesman John Kirby said that Gen Sharif’s consultations in Washington were part of regular bilateral discussions with a broad range of Pakis­tani officials. “And we appreciate the productive discussions we had regarding our bilateral defence and secu­rity relationship,” he added.

Mr Kirby said that Secre­tary of State John Kerry, who met Gen Sharif on Wednes­day, reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the US-Pakis­tan partnership and its importance in addressing issues of mutual concern.

Mr Kirby said that Secretary Kerry “appreciated and was grateful for” the discussions he held with the Pakistani general.

“This is an important relationship. It’s a complex relationship, and it’s one we want to continue to improve,” he said.

“As for Kashmir, all I would say is, we continue to be concerned about any violence along the Line of Control,” said the US official when asked if Kashmir was also discussed in the Kerry-Raheel meeting.

“We continue to urge the governments of both India and Pakistan to reduce tensions along that line and to resume dialogue to address these issues,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2015