This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25295308
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel visits Pakistan | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has arrived in Pakistan on Monday for talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. | |
| It is the first visit by a US defence secretary to Islamabad in four years. | |
| The Pentagon said the two men would hold "candid conversations" about how to "address common threats". | The Pentagon said the two men would hold "candid conversations" about how to "address common threats". |
| The visit comes at a time of tension between the countries about US drone strikes in Pakistan. | The visit comes at a time of tension between the countries about US drone strikes in Pakistan. |
| Last week the US military halted its ground cargo shipments from Afghanistan via Pakistan because of the risk to drivers after protests over drone strikes. | Last week the US military halted its ground cargo shipments from Afghanistan via Pakistan because of the risk to drivers after protests over drone strikes. |
| Pakistanis had blocked the US main supply route to Afghanistan, angry at civilian deaths caused by drones. | Pakistanis had blocked the US main supply route to Afghanistan, angry at civilian deaths caused by drones. |
| However, US officials say the suspension of shipments was a temporary measure and is now over. | However, US officials say the suspension of shipments was a temporary measure and is now over. |
| Afghan influence | Afghan influence |
| Mr Hagel will also discuss the "common interest that the United States and Pakistan have in a stable Afghanistan". | Mr Hagel will also discuss the "common interest that the United States and Pakistan have in a stable Afghanistan". |
| Afghan officials believe Pakistan has a high degree of influence over the Afghan Taliban. | Afghan officials believe Pakistan has a high degree of influence over the Afghan Taliban. |
| During a visit to Kabul last month, Mr Sharif pledged to help facilitate peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. | During a visit to Kabul last month, Mr Sharif pledged to help facilitate peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. |
| It is believed the Taliban launch attacks from bases inside Pakistan and elements of Pakistan's intelligence service have also been accused of backing the Afghan Taliban. | It is believed the Taliban launch attacks from bases inside Pakistan and elements of Pakistan's intelligence service have also been accused of backing the Afghan Taliban. |
| However, Islamabad strongly denies there is any official collusion. | However, Islamabad strongly denies there is any official collusion. |
| Mr Hagel arrived in Pakistan from Afghanistan, where he met American troops serving in the south-west of the country. | |
| He urged the Afghan government to sign a bilateral security agreement between the two countries to allow some US troops to remain in the country after 2014. Most international forces are due to withdraw by the end of next year. | He urged the Afghan government to sign a bilateral security agreement between the two countries to allow some US troops to remain in the country after 2014. Most international forces are due to withdraw by the end of next year. |