General Raheel Sharif meets US Vice President Joe Biden

In a series of tweets, Pakistan army spokesman Director-General Lieutenant General Asim Bajwa said Sharif and Biden stressed early resumption of reconciliation process with the Taliban achieve lasting peace in Afghanistan, which they argued is critical to peace and stability in the region. Often switching to a dark suit instead of a military uniform, Sharif met Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan, defense secretary Ash Carter, secretary of state John Kerry, and members of the Senate Armed Services Committee in between engaging his military counterparts.

The U.S. has no role to play in Kashmir issue and it is for India and Pakistan to address the problem through dialogue, a top American official has said, a day after visiting Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif raised the matter with US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Sharif had a meeting Thursday with Biden at the historic Roosevelt Room of the White House, a privilege rarely accorded to a foreign country’s serving army chief.

The committee assured General Raheel of U.S. support and cooperation in eradicating terrorism and extremism from the country, saying Pakistan had successfully turned the tide of terrorism. Senator Jack Reed and other senior Senators were also present. Senator McCain appreciated efforts and sacrifices of the armed forces under the leadership of General Raheel Sharif in fighting terrorists.

“This (Kashmir) is for the two parties to work out”, Kirby said in response to a question.

“The common’s consultations in Washington have been a part of our common, ongoing, bilateral discussions with a broad vary of Pakistani officers, and we respect the productive discussions we had relating to our bilateral protection and safety relationship”, he stated.

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif visited United States on a five-day trip, from where is scheduled to head to Brazil on Friday.

Speaking against the backdrop of recent Paris attacks that led to calls for greater actions against IS, the spokesperson said Pakistan was fully aware of the global nature of the threat.

He said Pakistan was cognizant of the threat posed by IS and made it clear that it would not tolerate even a shadow of the terrorist outfit on its soil.