ISLAMABAD, Jan 9: US Vice-President-elect Joe Biden has described Pakistan as an “incredibly valued ally and partner” and assured it of the Obama administration’s “real, long-term and broad commitment”.

Senator Biden said that the new US administration would support Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen democracy and to combat terrorism and would also help meet its socio-economic requirements and needs for capacity building, according to a statement issued by Foreign Office at the conclusion of the senator’s day-long visit on Friday. The US leader met President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Inter-Services Intelligence chief Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha.

Senator Biden, who is currently chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that Pakistan’s problems would feature high on president-elect Barack Obama’s agenda for the region. “What I hope to accomplish is to get sort of a baseline.”

During a meeting with President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani at Aiwan-i-Sadr, he said the United States was ‘very positive’ in terms of assisting Pakistan as an important ally.

He said the US valued its relationship with Pakistan and acknowledged its important contribution and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

He expressed the hope that Pakistan and India would be able to overcome the current tension and resolve their differences peacefully.

He urged both countries to work together to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice.

According to sources, Mr Biden’s office had requested a joint meeting with the president and prime minister. The move was seen by analysts as an attempt by the new administration to give a message that, unlike the Bush administration, it would not be having any favourites here.

Later, the US leader held a separate meeting with Prime Minister Gilani and said the new administration would like to start with the “present rather than past” in its relations with Pakistan. He stressed that although there would be continuity in the new government’s policies, it would not be about the past.

He assured the prime minister that the new administration would assist Pakistan both bilaterally and through international financial institutions.

He promised to work for providing equipment and training to build the capacity of Pakistan’s paramilitary forces and meet its defence needs.

Senator Biden discussed cooperation in the war against terror and the regional security situation with Gen Kayani.

The army chief briefed him on military operations in the tribal areas and said the army was determined to combat militancy till its eradication.

Reports that the US is planning an offensive against militant targets in Afghanistan this year are learnt to have been taken up at the meeting between Senator Biden and the ISI chief.

Senators John Kerry, Jack Reed and Susan Collins, who were to be part of the bipartisan delegation visiting the region, dropped out of the trip at the last minute because of political engagements.

US Vice-President-elect Joseph Biden looks at the Hilal-i-Pakistan medal he received from President Asif Zardari on Friday in recognition of his services for Pakistan. Senator Biden has co-sponsored the landmark Biden-Kerry-Lugar legislation for a $1.5 billion annual socio-economic assistance over the next five years, and has advocated an additional $7.5 billion aid over the subsequent five years. The ceremony to confer the award was held at President’s House. The citation noted Senator Biden’s “consistent support for democracy and socio-economic development in Pakistan and his outstanding contribution to the strengthening of US-Pakistan relations”.—Tanveer Shahzad