Kerry US, Pakistan agree to restart strategic dialogue

         
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry agreed with Pakistani officials on Thursday to restart strategic talks after relations deteriorated sharply following a 2011 NATO air attack in which 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed.      

Speaking alongside Sartaj Aziz, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's adviser on foreign affairs, Kerry told reporters the two sides were serious about overcoming past irritants.              
As for the future of U.S.-led troops in neighboring Afghanistan, Kerry said: "We are drawing down, not withdrawing." He said he was confident the United States would reach agreement on future troop levels with Afghanistan in a timely way.         

Aziz said Pakistan wanted the United States to end drone strikes aimed at militants on its territory. "Drone attacks are counterproductive to our relationship," he said.              


REUTERS