WASHINGTON, 21 January, 2021, (TON): Joe bidens administrations says that it expect to resume military-to-military ties with Pakistan. The new Biden administration sees Pakistan as an “essential partner” in any peace process in Afghanistan and believes that “continuing to build relationships with Pakistan’s military will provide openings for the US and Pakistan to cooperate on key issues” said nominated defence chief Gen Lloyd J Austin.

Gen Austin made these remarks during his confirmation hearing for the post of secretary of defence before the United States Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.

Austin, a former head of the US Central Command, told the committee that "If confirmed, I will encourage a regional approach that garners support from neighbours like Pakistan, while also deterring regional actors, from serving as spoilers to the Afghanistan peace process.”

“I will focus on our shared interests which include training future Pakistan military leaders through the use of International Military Education and Training funds. Pakistan will play an important role in any political settlement in Afghanistan. We also need to work with Pakistan to defeat Al Qaeda and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) and to enhance regional stability”, he said when asked about his approach to the Pak-US relationship.

“Pakistan is a sovereign country,” he said when asked what tools and options the US had to influence Pakistan.

Gen Austin added that “I understand Pakistan has taken constructive steps to meet US requests in support of the Afghanistan peace process. Pakistan has also taken steps against anti-Indian groups, such as Lashkar-i-Taiba and Jaish-i-Mohammad, although this progress is incomplete.”

General Austin highlighted the need for strong military ties with Pakistan that will increase the cooperation on key issues between the two countries.

The story of Pak-US relations over the years is complex and uneven. However, the US-Pak military alliance previously imposed one-sided commitments on Pakistan.