Hillary: US to consider Pak request for n-deal

Notwithstanding India’s reservations,Clinton made it clear that the issue of energy would be one of the subjects of discussion but refused to pre-judge the outcome of the talks. She said the US would “consider” Pakistan’s request for a civil nuclear deal as it wanted to help the country meet its immediate and long-term energy needs.

“I am sure that’s going to be raised and we are going to be considering it but I can’t pre-judge or pre-empt what the outcome of our discussions will be,” Clinton told Pakistan’s Express TV.

Ever since the US signed the nuclear deal with India,Pakistan has been seeking similar cooperation. However,the previous Bush administration had refused to entertain the request arguing that the non-proliferation records of India and Pakistan were not comparable.

The first indications of US’s willingness to discuss civil nuclear cooperation with Pakistan came two days back from US Ambassador to Islamabad Anne Patterson who said America’s non-proliferation concerns were beginning to pass and nuclear cooperation is a scenario that can be explored.

The Pakistani delegation for Wednesday’s strategic dialogue include Army chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and ISI’s Lt Gen Shuja Pasha. It is headed by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. PTI

US-Pak strategic talks begin today in Washington. Here’s what it’ll be all about

WHAT’S AT STAKE FOR PAKISTAN?

In a word,relevance. Pakistan has a narrow window of opportunity to cement its position and capitalise on its usefulness to the US regarding Afghanistan,India and the region as a whole.

While for years Afghanistan was dependent on Pakistan for its links to the outside world,it now is increasingly reliant on India,China and Central Asia for trade,which in turn reduces its formerly strong ties to Pakistan. The Pakistanis fear once US is out of Afghanistan — and Pakistan’s utility is reduced — the US will cozy up to India,greenlight Afghanistan’s alternate links to the outside world and leave Pakistan isolated. Pakistan’s challenge,then,is to leverage its current usefulness to the US — it still has influence with the Afghan Taliban — to attain long-term benefits.

BUT WHAT ARE THESE BENEFITS?

Influence in Afghanistan,often touted as strategic depth against India; the denial of an Indian foothold on its western border; and economic deals with the US — most importantly,a civilian nuclear deal like the one India has.

WILL PAKISTAN GET ALL IT WANTS?

Probably not. A nuclear deal is almost certainly not going to emerge from two days of talks. Agriculture and trade deals more likely. Much of the talks will focus on security and fighting the Taliban. Reuters