ISLAMABAD, 31 July 2021, (TON): National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan discussed the ‘urgent need for a reduction in violence in Afghanistan’ and agreed to ‘sustain the momentum in Pak-US bilateral cooperation’ during a meeting in Washington.

NSA Moeed left for a crucial visit to the United States on July 26 as part of efforts by Pakistan to reset the fragile relationship with Washington. DG ISI Lt General Faiz Hameed is also accompanying the NSA during the official trip.

This was their second meeting after Geneva in May, where Moeed shared Pakistan’s “blueprint” seeking broad-based cooperation with the US.

In a tweet, Moeed said he had a ‘positive follow-up meeting’ with Sullivan and took ‘stock of progress made since our Geneva meeting and discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest’.

Sullivan remarked that during the meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, regional connectivity and security, and other areas of mutual cooperation were discussed along with a need for a ‘negotiated political settlement to the conflict’ in Afghanistan.

Insecurity has been growing in Afghanistan in recent weeks, largely spurred by fighting in its provinces as US-led foreign troops complete their withdrawal and the Taliban launch major offensives, taking districts and border crossings.