Pakistan, US to hold talks in Washington

Pakistan's Foreign Minister says he is optimistic that upcoming security talks with the US will pave the way for a new era of bilateral cooperation.

Pakistan and the US will hold their first talks in Washington on Wednesday as part of a new Strategic Dialogue.

Pakistani Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, will co-chair the talks with US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. Security, economic development, water and energy are expected to top the agenda.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Pakistani Foreign Minister, said, "Pakistan-US relations have a long history. Time has seen us working closely together and there have been times when differences in perception and interests saw Pakistan becoming a most sanctioned ally. Despite the checkered past, we believe that US and Pakistan are both desirous of ushering a new era of partnership and cooperation."

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, pictured in January 2010. (AFP/File/Behrouz Mehri)