President Obama met with the Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the White House on Thursday, brokering a hopeful alliance for future cooperation between the two countries.
The leaders, whom met for 90 minutes, discussed issues ranging from brokering peace in Afghanistan to growing concerns over Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. They also focused on new dialogue concerning clean energy, women's education and trade, according to The Associated Press.
The meeting comes a week after Obama’s announcement that he planned to withdraw American troops by the end of 2016, overturning his previous decision. Obama called for renewed efforts at peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government, which he hoped Pakistan would spearhead the talks.
Speaking of the meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Obama said it was “an opportunity to further deepen the relationship between the United States and Pakistan.”
Sharif expressed similar sentiments, saying, “It is my endeavor to further strengthen and solidify this relationship.”
Following the meeting, White House spokesman Eric Shultz commended Pakistan’s efforts on curbing terrorist activities, saying the country’s military ventures “have had significant impact,” the Wall Street Journal reported.
“They’ve targeted terrorist sanctuaries and have restored government control to parts of Pakistan that have previously been safe havens for terrorists,” Shultz said, while urging Pakistan to “take action against all militant groups without discriminating.”