ISLAMABAD, March 4: A joint statement titled “Pakistan-United States Strategic Partnership” issued after the Musharraf-Bush summit meeting here on Saturday reaffirms the commitment of the two countries to strengthen the foundation of strategic relationship and expanding it beyond the cooperation in the war on terror.

Announcing the launching a strategic dialogue under the strategic partnership by the two leaders, it says: “The dialogue will be co-chaired by Pakistan’s foreign secretary and the US under secretary of state for political affairs. They will meet regularly to review issues of mutual interest.”

The five-page statement reflects a number of significant agreements and decisions to bolster bilateral cooperation in the vital areas of energy, peace and security, social sector development, trade and investment, science and technology and non-proliferation.

“The Pakistan-US strategic partnership is based on the shared interests of the Pakistan and the United States in building stable and sustainable democracy and in promoting peace and security, stability, prosperity and democracy in South Asia and across the globe,” it says. It was agreed to continue robust US security assistance to meet Pakistan’s legitimate defence needs and bolster its capabilities in the war on terror.

The two leaders agreed to deepen bilateral collaboration in the fields of defence training, joint exercises, defence procurement, technology transfers, and international peace-keeping. It was decided to increase the frequency of defence policy discussions to strengthen collaboration in the identified sectors.

Both leaders committed themselves to working together with Afghanistan to make Pakistan and Afghanistan a land bridge linking the economic potentials of South Asia and Central Asia.

Notably while both the leaders specifically talked about the Kashmir issue during the press stakeout, in the Joint Statement there is no mention of it.—Q.A.